SeaPort Airlines (2008–2016)
| Company type | Regional airline |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon , United States |
Area served | Pacific Northwest, Mid-South, Southwest United States; San Felipe, Mexico (international) |
Key people | Kent Craford (co-founder) |
| Products | Scheduled commuter and Essential Air Service flights |
SeaPort Airlines was a regional carrier in the United States, with its main office located at Portland International Airport in Portland, Oregon. The airline operated scheduled services from hubs in Portland, Memphis International Airport, San Diego International Airport, and Hollywood Burbank Airport, including an international route to San Felipe International Airport. Its operations predominantly centered on federally funded Essential Air Service (EAS) routes serving rural airports.
The airline’s pilots identified themselves using the call sign "Sasquatch," a theme reflected in its branding through the mascot "Roger, The SeaPort Airlines Sasquatch," introduced in 2013.
History
Established in 2008, SeaPort initially offered commuter flights connecting Portland and Seattle’s Boeing Field but later shifted its focus toward EAS routes. Its network extended across the Pacific Northwest, Mid-South, and Southwest regions, with international flights to San Felipe running from 2013 until early 2016.
By November 2013, SeaPort was receiving roughly $13.9 million annually from federal EAS subsidies, which constituted a major part of its financial structure.
On February 5, 2016, amid reductions in its route network, SeaPort voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, continuing to operate while undergoing restructuring. Although it submitted a reorganization plan in July 2016, the airline ultimately terminated service on September 20, 2016, after its Chapter 11 proceedings converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation.
Kent Craford, one of the co-founders, later attributed the airline’s downfall to its reliance on EAS routes, labeling them as "notoriously unprofitable" and underscoring the difficulties within its business model and market approach.
Regional operations
SeaPort Airlines provided scheduled commuter flights across two primary regions that linked rural areas to larger national air networks: the Pacific Northwest—covering locations such as Portland and Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton, Oregon—and the Mid-South region, serving airports including South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field in El Dorado, Boone County Airport in Harrison, Memorial Field Airport in Hot Springs, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. Until January 2016, SeaPort also operated within the Southwest region with destinations across California and Mexico.
Pacific Northwest service
SeaPort’s operations in the Pacific Northwest were anchored at its hub at Portland International Airport (PDX), focusing on travelers commuting between Seattle and Portland who sought alternatives to the busier Seattle-Tacoma International and Portland International airports. Toward the end of 2011, the airline revised its strategy by discontinuing service between Seattle’s Boeing Field and Portland on January 27, 2012.
In line with this strategic adjustment, SeaPort commenced nonstop flights on January 15, 2012, between Portland International and North Bend/Coos Bay, employing Cessna 208 Caravan turboprop aircraft.
On October 21, 2008, SeaPort was awarded a two-year Essential Air Service contract to provide subsidized flights from Portland to Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton. This service replaced Horizon Air’s operation starting December 1, 2008.
The airline ended its North Bend/Coos Bay route on March 20, 2016; service was subsequently taken over by PenAir on March 21.
Mid-South operations
SeaPort's Mid-South division, headquartered at Memphis International Airport, operated under federal support through the Essential Air Service (EAS) initiative.
On March 12, 2010, SeaPort was awarded a two-year EAS contract to provide three daily flights from Sunday through Friday connecting Salina, Kansas with Kansas City International Airport, as well as between Hot Springs, Arkansas and Memphis International Airport. Additionally, the Department of Transportation authorized the airline to introduce daily service between Kansas City and Harrison, Arkansas. In July 2011, SeaPort further extended its network by launching flights to Dallas Love Field originating from both El Dorado and Hot Springs.
Despite facing challenges due to low passenger volumes threatening contract continuation, SeaPort’s EAS agreement for McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport in Jackson, Tennessee was prolonged until January 31, 2014. Service at this location ultimately concluded on June 26, 2015. By mid-2014, EAS routes expanded to include Great Bend, Kansas, with connections to Kansas City and Wichita, Kansas; however, flights to Wichita were discontinued by April 2015.
In November 2014, new routes commenced from Memphis and Nashville to Tupelo, Mississippi, followed by a Nashville to Muscle Shoals, Alabama service in January 2015. Both of these routes were terminated later that year. Following the 2014 repeal of the Wright Amendment and the inauguration of a new terminal at Dallas Love Field, SeaPort lost its permanent gate access and ticket counter facilities. This disruption compelled the airline to relocate its Texas–Arkansas flights from Love Field to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston as of September 2015.
On January 16, 2016, SeaPort discontinued operations serving Salina, Great Bend, and Kansas City due to a nationwide shortage of regional pilots.
Southwest region operations
SeaPort Airlines initiated service on May 1, 2013, linking Imperial/El Centro with San Diego and Burbank after securing the EAS contract in January of that year, taking over from SkyWest Airlines. In July 2014, the carrier announced plans for nonstop flights between Burbank and San Diego beginning October 1, offering four weekday departures each way along with limited weekend schedules.
The airline subsequently broadened its reach to include Sacramento and Visalia as well as its inaugural international destination: San Felipe in Mexico. Nevertheless, all services within California and Mexico were terminated by January 15, 2016.
Fleet
SeaPort Airlines' fleet consisted primarily of the Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft types.