Kenmore Air and Puyallup Tribe expand partnership with international service

||| FROM PUYALLUP TRIBE |||

PUYALLUP RESERVATION, Tacoma, Wash.—Kenmore Air, in collaboration with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, is excited to announce the extension of their 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, offers an unparalleled travel experience, providing 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 2:45 pm, 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,” Tribal Council said. “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. Kenmore has been a terrific partner from the start,” he said. “Two years ago, we said we intended to go global, and here we are.”

The Tacoma Ruston Way terminal, located next to the Tribe-owned Woven restaurant, offers passengers an added bonus for their journey. Opened last summer, the popular seafood and chophouse provides a perfect location to relax after a scenic flight. Travelers can enjoy a delicious meal al fresco on Woven’s outdoor patio, all while soaking in the stunning views of the waterfront. It’s the ideal way to extend an afternoon adventure that combines the beauty of the South Sound skies with the flavors of the region.

About Kenmore Air

Founded in 1946, Kenmore Air is the largest seaplane airline in the United States, flying over 90,000 passengers annually in its iconic de Havilland Beaver and Otter aircraft. In addition to providing scheduled flights to over 45 water-based destinations throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, Kenmore Air’s wheeled aircraft operation, Kenmore Air Express, offers scheduled service between Boeing Field and the San Juans aboard modern Cessna Caravan aircraft. In addition to their scheduled service, Kenmore Air and Kenmore Air Express offer charter service to many other destinations. For more information, please visit KenmoreAir.com.

About Puyallup Tribal Enterprises
Puyallup Tribal Enterprises is the Puyallup Tribe’s economic development arm. Socially, its objectives are to increase the Tribe’s land asset base and to create jobs and job training opportunities for Tribal members. Economically, PTE is focused on leveraging its existing assets to generate above-market returns for the Tribe and its strategic partners. For more information, please visit PuyallupTribalEnterprises.com.

About the Puyallup Tribe of Indians

The Puyallup People have lived along the shores of what is now called Puget Sound since time immemorial. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is a sovereign nation of more than 6,000 members and one of the largest employers in Pierce County. It serves its members and community with generosity and is committed to building a sustainable way of life for future generations. Since 2020, it has donated more than $9 million to local nonprofit organizations through its Charity Trust Board, with Tribal Council donating millions more from its own funding. Learn more about the Puyallup Tribe.