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| Founded | 1955 | |||
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| Hubs | Anchorage, Alaska | |||
| Secondary hubs | King Salmon, Alaska, Dillingham, Alaska, Cold Bay, Alaska, Dutch Harbor, Alaska | |||
| Frequent-flyer program | Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan | |||
| Fleet size | 36 | |||
| Destinations | 34 | |||
| Company slogan | The Spirit of Alaska | |||
| Headquarters | Anchorage, Alaska, USA | |||
| Website | www.PenAir.com | |||
Peninsula Airways, doing business as PenAir, is an American airline headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska.[1] It is Alaska's second largest commuter airline operating an extensive scheduled passenger and cargo service, as well as charter and medevac services. Its main base is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, with hubs at Dillingham Airport, Unalaska Airport, King Salmon Airport and Cold Bay Airport.[2]
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1955
Orin Seybert founded Peninsula Airways. He was 19 years old, living in Pilot Point, Alaska and owned a 1946 two-seat Taylorcraft. In 1956, a four-seat Piper Tri-Pacer was purchased, and the company was named Peninsula Airways.
1965
On March 1, 1965 Peninsula Airways became incorporated and purchased the fixed base operation in King Salmon, which included the Chevron Airport Dealership.
1967
Peninsula Airways became a full-time subcontractor to Reeve Aleutian Airways, meeting Reeveís certificate obligations to Chignik, Perryville and Ivanoff Bay.
1969
Peninsula Airways acquired all assets of Tibbetts-Herre Airmotive, which had operated from Naknek since 1950. By 1973, regular service was provided between King Salmon and the Pribilof Island communities, St. Paul and St. George. Charter service was also extended into the Aleutian Islands, Dutch Harbor, Atka and Adak, with Grumman Super Widgeons.
1977
Two Grumman Goose aircraft were purchased from Reeve Aleutian Airways, and the sub-contract was expanded to cover all locations certificated to Reeve throughout the Alaskan Peninsula and Aleutian Islands. This required setting up an operating base at Cold Bay, with hangars, offices and employee housing.
1980
The Civil Aeronautics Board awarded a Part 401 ìCertificate of Public Convenience and Necessityî to Peninsula Airways, and all aircraft operations were conducted under Part 135 of the Federal Air Regulations.
1983
Peninsula Airways acquired its first turbine aircraft: a Cessna Conquest operated out of Cold Bay. Peninsula Airways was the first Alaskan air carrier to qualify for CAB Part 419 subsidy, allowing the airline to perform Essential Air Service to Atka, St. George and Kodiak Island.
1985
Peninsula Airways acquired all assets of Air Transport Service, Inc., based in Kodiak. Included in the deal was a hangar and office facility with approximately six aircraft and scheduled year-round service to all points on the Island. Anchorage base was started with two Cessna Conquest turbo-props offering charter service from Anchorage to the Pribilof Islands. Scheduled service from Anchorage to King Salmon and Dillingham was added a year later.
1987
The first Fairchild "Metroliner" was put in service.
1988
Several bush operators in Dillingham had their certificates revoked by the FAA, prompting Peninsula Airways to set up an operation there. A hangar and aircraft were purchased and service to the surrounding communities began.
1989
Peninsula Airways was contracted by Exxon to support the "Exxon Valdez" oil spill cleanup. Also, at this time, a contract was awarded to PenAir by Alaska Regional Hospital to provide 24-hour medevac service. PenAir operations were inspected and approved by Exxon Corporation, U.S. Office of Aircraft Services, U.S. Department of Defense, and 2 FAA NASIP "white glove" inspections.
1991
Peninsula Airways began doing business as PenAir and became a code-share and mileage plan partner with Alaska Airlines.
1996
PenAir transitioned to FAA Part 121 regulations, operating under both Part 135 and 121. PenAir was the first regional airline in the United States to make the 10-19 seat required conversion, including a dispatch department.
1997
PenAir acquired two Saab 340B aircraft and in 1998 moved into a new hangar/office complex in Anchorage, Alaska.
2011
PenAir retired the last Fairchild "Metroliner" from service.
Today
PenAir is Alaska's second largest commuter airline, operating a fleet of 40 aircraft and providing scheduled service to 36 communities throughout Southwest Alaska. PenAir was the second airline in the state to receive the Medallion Shield Award.[3]
PenAir has recently decided to repaint all aircraft with a new paint scheme. The paint scheme was copied from corporate flown SAAB 2000's.
As of October 2007 the PenAir fleet includes:[2]
PenAir is one of the very last airlines in the world to operate the venerable Grumman G-21A Goose on scheduled flights. The amphibious aircraft is still used to resupply remote coastal locations where no land-based airstrip exists.
PenAir operates scheduled service to the following destinations in Alaska (as of July 2009):[4]
Former destinations:
PenAir (These flights to Dutch Harbor are actually contracted flights, operated by PenAir for Alaska Airlines) operates service to Unalaska Airport (commonly referred to as Dutch Harbor, or 'Dutch') utilizing the SAAB 340A/B turboprops. Scheduled service is commonly interrupted by extremely harsh weather conditions including high winds.
PenAir, along with Bering Air, Frontier Flying Service, Grant Aviation, Northern Air Cargo, and Ryan Air, participates in the Flying Can service, which allows rural Alaskan communities to recycle aluminum cans and now number 1 PET bottles in cooperation with Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling.[5]