Update 9 a.m. August 1, 2017: The FAA has fixed the weather observation system in St. Mary's, and large planes are now able to fly in and out of the airport.
Original story posted July 31, 2017: The number of fish buyers on the Yukon River remains at one: Kwik’Pak Fisheries based in District 1. That number was set to rise to two on Monday, but problems with air transportation prevented it.
A new buyer, Fishpeople, was scheduled to begin operating Monday in District 2. It planned to fly out its fish on a large plane from St. Mary’s, but large planes have been prevented from using the airport since last week.
Eric Weingarth manages the St. Mary's airport and says that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered parts to repair the downed weather observation system.
Even though Fishpeople will not be buying fish during Monday’s commercial opening for Yukon District 2, it will provide ice to fishermen so they can sell to Kwik’Pak in Mountain Village.
