"A bright spot for tourism are the German-speaking independent travelers who comes to Alaska," said Ron Peck, president and COO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association. "At a time when the industry is down, Condor flies four weekly flights to two Alaska destinations. That's 73 roundtrip flights a year and represents 10,000 visitors."

From left to right Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau board member Andy Anger, FCVB president and CEO Deb Hickok, and Condor Airlines' Regina Klotz and Dieter Knofel are shown with the 2009 Alaska Governor's North Star Award for International Excellence. Photos/Rob Stapleton/AJOC

The airline's positive efforts over the years earned it the 2009 Alaska Governor's North Star Award. Condor Airlines is the longest flying international carrier operating in Alaska.

The Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Riverboat Discovery co-hosted a reception July 22 to recognize the airline's work for international excellence.

Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Click Bishop presented the award to Dieter Knofel, head of long-haul commercial activities for the German-based air carrier.

Condor started non-stop flights to Fairbanks in 2001, a deal that was based on a handshake with local business owners Bernie and Connie Karl, proprietors of Chena Hot Springs Resort and members of the Fairbanks CVB.

Businessmen Andy Anger and Dave Carlstrom had encouraged Knofel to meet with FCVB and Bernie Karl to discuss direct flights from Frankfurt to Fairbanks.

"I sat down with Bernie. He told me what they wanted and I started to tell him about our requirements and Bernie said, 'OK where is the contract, I'll sign it,'" said Knofel of his first meeting with Karl. "I had no contract and was flabbergasted. It took us a couple of months to write something up, and we got this going in no time."

The Karls put up a guarantee to attract travelers to secure the agreement. After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, travel virtually stopped, and the Karls wrote a check to cover the airline's losses.

But summer tourism has grown since, thanks in large part to the non-stop flights directly to Interior Alaska.

At the reception, Knofel announced he planned to retire. Regina Klotz will take over his position of handling arrangements for flights with Condor.

FCVB board chair Anger finished a round of speeches by giving Klotz a special challenge.

Dieters' legacy was to bring visitors to Anchorage and Fairbanks during the summer months, said Anger.

"I hope your legacy will be Alaska in the winter."

Condor, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Airlines, recently announced a partnership with Alaska Airlines to offer destinations between cities in Europe and the U.S., including Juneau.

Knofel said Alaska has been supportive of Condor Airlines.

"No where in the worldwide network of Condor did we arrive with such great cooperation than we did from Alaska," said Knofel. "Everyone here in Alaska took a part in this effort."

Rob Stapleton can be reached at rob.stapleton.@alaskajournal.com.