Pepsi and Coca-Cola Join Ravn Alaska in Efforts to Aid Tuluksak Fire

A Southwest Alaska village devastated by a fire that destroyed its only source of clean water is getting some additional relief from a regional airline and two iconic beverage rivals. PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Alaska have put their differences aside during this time of need and are teaming up with Ravn Alaska to donate more than 6,000 pounds of water to the community of Tuluksak.

When Ravn offered to carry its product to the community, Pepsi, a partner of Ravn, and Coca-Cola quickly jumped on board. Ravn transports the pallets of water to Bethel, where Yute Commuter Service and Ryan Air began flying the water the final leg to Tuluksak the first week of February.

Water cargo flights will continue through February. The companies join an outpouring of community support for the village from across the state, working to provide clean drinking water until a permanent solution is found.

“Alaskans are stronger together,” says Rob McKinney, Ravn Alaska CEO. “As the new Ravn Alaska, we are more than just an air service. We’re Alaskans and committed to serving our communities in need.”

Tuluksak’s water plant that served the community of over 300 people caught on fire on January 16. Almost instantly, grassroots efforts formed to provide assistance to the village that is simultaneously battling a coronavirus outbreak. A GoFundMe has been set up with an initial goal of $100,000 to provide essential supplies to the community.

“Helping those in need is just the right thing to do,” McKinney says. “It’s something that we, as a company, will continue to prioritize as often as we can.”

Pepsi is an official marketing partner of Ravn Alaska, with complimentary Pepsi products available on every Ravn flight.