TACOMA, WA – Kenmore Air, in collaboration with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, has announced the extension of its seasonal seaplane flight service between Tacoma’s Ruston Way and Victoria, BC’s Inner Harbour. The service, which will run from May 15 through Sept. 15, provides the fastest and most scenic route for South Sound residents to reach the charming capital of British Columbia.
The daily flight will depart Tacoma at 2:45pm, flying for approximately one hour to Friday Harbor Marina. After a 30-minute stopover, the flight will continue for a 20-minute leg to Victoria’s Inner Harbour, making the total flight time just 1 hour and 50 minutes. Upon arriving in Victoria, passengers will be steps from Victoria’s bustling waterfront, top-rated hotels and a vibrant downtown full of great restaurants and shopping, as well as having easy tour bus transportation access to the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Prices start at $199 per person, one way.
In addition to the Victoria route, May 15 will mark the return of Kenmore Air’s seasonal seaplane service between Tacoma and the San Juan Islands with direct service to Friday Harbor Marina and stopover service to Roche Harbor, as well as a variety of seaplane marina locations on Orcas Island and Lopez Island. This service will also be available through Sept. 15, with fares starting at $199 per person, one way. For those looking for a shorter, scenic adventure, Kenmore Air’s popular 25-minute South Sound Scenic flight tour will return with departures from Tacoma, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Puget Sound for just $99 per person with two flights offered daily.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, offering an exciting new route for travelers looking for a quick and scenic escape to Victoria,” said David Gudgel, President of Kenmore Air. “This partnership continues to demonstrate our commitment to providing South Sound residents with the fastest, most convenient, and most beautiful way to travel to Victoria – all without the long drives or ferry rides typically associated with such a journey which can consume a good portion of vacation time.”
The Puyallup Tribal Council, which opened the seaplane terminal with Gudgel two years ago, complimented Kenmore Air for its ambition and said the expansion is a reason for enthusiasm.
“The Puyallup Tribe is growing on the international stage,” wrote the Tribal Council. “This extension of Kenmore Air’s seaplane service reflects our ongoing commitment to providing accessible, efficient, and scenic travel options that connect our residents with the wider Pacific Northwest region and beyond.”
Matt Wadhwani, CEO of Puyallup Tribal Enterprises and the tribal financial officer, said the partnership with Kenmore is another success for the tribe’s economic development wing.
“When we partner with the right people, we make great things happen,” said Wadhwani. “Kenmore has been a terrific partner from the start. Two years ago, we said we intended to go global, and here we are.”
