In the late 1980s, a group of Alaska officials, academics, business leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, Native elders, students, and others organized a âÂÂfriendship flightâ from Nome, Alaska to Provideniya in RussiaâÂÂs Chukotka region. It was a singular flight operated by Alaska Airlines on June 13, 1988. There were 82 passengers on board and the flight lasted 45 minutes.