SeaPort Airlines of Portland, Oregon announced today that it will begin regularly scheduled air service from William R. Fairchild Airport to Sea-Tac International Airport beginning March 1, 2016.
“We’re delighted at SeaPort Airlines’ decision to begin regular passenger air service to Sea-Tac from Port Angeles,” stated Port of Port Angeles Commission President, Jim Hallett. “We appreciate the confidence SeaPort is demonstrating in our community and we know the community will respond with its own commitment to support the new service.”
“The return of scheduled airline service is great news for Port Angeles, William R. Fairchild International Airport, and Clallam County’s local economy,” said Representative Derek Kilmer. “This service gives folks an easy way to get to Seattle and other parts of the country while boosting tourism by bringing new visitors to the Olympic Peninsula. The new flights also make our region more attractive to businesses looking to operate where local services can help them expand.”
Commercial passenger air service was cancelled on November 14, 2014 when Kenmore Air Express pulled their operations from Port Angeles due to low profits, declining ticket sales and high fuel costs. In response to the service cancellation, the Port of Port Angeles Commission approved a contract with Forecast, Inc. to complete an air service market study, develop an air service plan and provide a proposal and route analysis for up to three airlines.
The Port was also able to take advantage of the Port of Seattle’s Small Communities Air Service Incentive Program which waives landing fees and facilities charges for two years for airlines starting up a new service from small communities that do not currently have service to Sea-Tac.
“The combined efforts of the Port of Port Angeles Commission and staff, the local community and the Port of Seattle’s Small Community Air Service Incentive Program laid the groundwork to reinstate regular air service to and from Sea-Tac. Air service to Seattle is crucial to the economic vitality of our community and county,” said Ken O’Hollaren, Executive Director of the Port of Port Angeles.
SeaPort’s flight schedule will include five flights per weekday with the first flight of the day leaving Port Angeles at 6:00am and the last flight leaving Port Angeles at 6:00pm. Tickets can be purchased as early as November 15, 2015 at www.seaportair.com or by calling 1-888-573-2767. At Sea-Tac, Port Angeles customers will also be able to connect with flights of SeaPort’s interline partners, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
To celebrate the new service, SeaPort is offering an introductory fare of $49 between Sea-Tac and Port Angeles. Introductory fare tickets will be available for purchase through February 15, 2016 and valid for travel between March 1 and April 14, 2016. Introductory fares are each-way and include all government taxes and fees, tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable after purchase, and are available on a limited number of seats. Other rules and restrictions may apply.
ABOUT SEAPORT AIRLINES, INC.
SeaPort Airlines is a privately-held regional airline based in Portland, Oregon. The carrier serves 20 cities in the United States and Mexico with a fleet of Cessna Caravans. Additional information about SeaPort Airlines can be found on its website, www.SeaPortAir.com.
SeaPort Airlines will also add flights from Moses Lake, WA to Sea-Tac and Portland, OR on March 1, 2016.