Bridge closure boosted airline’s business, statistics show

The Hood Canal Bridge closure provided a significant boost to Kenmore Air Express, with a 41.6 percent increase in passengers in the second quarter.

From a cruising altitude of 4,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level, the bridge appeared as a slender line crossing the water to Kenmore Air Capt. Kevin Griffin.

He ferried a full load of passengers from Port Angeles to Boeing Field in Seattle on a recent June morning. The calm, clear air afforded the plane’s passengers a grand view of the North Olympic Peninsula as the craft cruised 190 mph eastward over land and sea during the 35-minute flight.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“I enjoy looking out the window just as much as anyone else,” Griffin said of the views that spread out before him while working in his “office.”

The plane touched down at Boeing Field and taxied to the terminal.

Making connections

Passengers exited the plane, grabbed their luggage and climbed into a Kenmore Air shuttle bus that carried everyone to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where they could connect to other flights.

It’s just a typical flight for Kenmore, which transported a total of 8,785 people in the second quarter of this year compared with 6,205 in the same period of time in 2008.

Although April was down by 29.8 percent, May more than made up for it with a 95.5 percent increase — nearly doubling the number from 2,451 in 2008 to 4,877 in 2009 — and June increased about 40 percent, a marketing report to the Port of Port Angeles said.

Hood Canal Bridge

“Obviously that very big bump is a result of the Hood Canal Bridge closure,” said Jeff Robb, port marinas and airport manager, at the June 22 meeting.

“Although it wasn’t quite the same bump in June, it is still much better than the negative numbers they were seeing.”

He said that Kenmore representatives have seemed optimistic about the rising numbers of passengers this year.

The report on the airline was optimistic about the San Juans Express service but said both the Canadian routes and the Jefferson County seaplane service are struggling.

“Overall, the company has done a good job of ‘right-sizing’ expenses to match lower total revenue,” the report stated.

Craig O’Neill, director of marketing, was out of town and unavailable for comment for the week.

Alaska Airlines

Another boost to business is expected when the airline completes an agreement with Alaska Airlines for an interline agreement.

Not only will people be able to book flights straight from Port Angeles to other Alaska Airlines destinations, but they will also be able to earn miles through the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

Both are planned to begin in August, but technical difficulties in integrating the booking software have delayed that from earlier in the summer, the report said.

The airline also implemented an online marketing program using a $10,000 grant from the city of Port Angeles’ lodging tax.

Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.

Photojournalist Chris Tucker can be reached at 360-417-3524 or chris.tucker@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Poplars to be removed in spring

Boat Yard expansion part of larger project

Jeffco Aquatic Coalition launches pool survey

Results intended to inform design process

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few miles south of Port Angeles. While the Peninsula has seen temperatures below freezing this week, a warming trend is expected by this weekend with highs reaching the upper 40s and overnight lows in the 30s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Winter snowscape

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few… Continue reading

JoAnn declares bankruptcy; Port Angeles store to close

The Joann fabrics and crafts store in Port Angeles… Continue reading

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy

Port Townsend, Chimacum pass school levies

Funds will support facilities, supplies, transportation

Counties can collect up to $1.80 of property tax per $1,000 of assessed value, but they are only allowed to increase their property tax collection amount by 1 percent each year, excluding new construction, without voter approval.
Clallam already eyeing 2026 cuts

If county can’t raise revenue, it may cut employees, services

Port Angeles School Board to conduct community conversation

Port Angeles School Board members will be available to… Continue reading

After-school art program returns to Stevens Middle School

Let’s Make Art, a free after-school program at Stevens… Continue reading

Department of Licensing offices to be closed

PORT ANGELES – The Department of Licensing office of the Clallam County… Continue reading