Taquan Air
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Predecessor | Ketchikan Air (acquired 1997) |
| Founded | August 1977 |
| Headquarters | Ketchikan, Alaska , United States |
Area served | Alaska, United States |
Key people | (not specified) |
| Products | Scheduled passenger flights, charter services, sightseeing tours, U.S. Mail delivery |
| Owner | Venture Travel, LLC |
| Parent | Venture Travel, LLC |
Taquan Air operates as a subsidiary of Venture Travel, LLC, a regional airline based in Ketchikan, Alaska. The airline provides both scheduled passenger flights and charter services within the United States, operating primarily out of the Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base, which shares airspace with Ketchikan International Airport. The United States Department of Transportation officially classifies Taquan as a "U.S. Certificated Air Carrier," placing it among the 125 carriers holding this designation nationwide.
In 1997, Taquan Air reached its operational zenith, becoming the world's largest floatplane operator and ranking as Alaska’s second-largest commuter airline by carrying 243,000 passengers. Seeking to expand its business, the company secured FAR part 121 certification in 1998 to support operations with larger aircraft. However, financial difficulties soon followed, resulting in asset sales and staff reductions by 1999. New ownership from 2000 onward preserved the Taquan brand, which continues to be closely associated with floatplane transportation.
Taquan’s services encompass U.S. Mail delivery and flights connecting important Alaskan destinations such as Prince of Wales Island and Hyder. After a weather-related accident in 2007, the airline played a role in implementing statewide weather camera systems. Alongside other operators based in Ketchikan, Taquan offers scenic "flightseeing" tours over Misty Fjords National Monument as well as bear-watching excursions within Tongass National Forest, strengthening its presence in the regional tourism sector.
History
The term "Taquan" originates from the Tlingit language meaning "village by the sea," and is also associated with an alternative name for Annette Island, Taak'w Aan.
Taquan Air Service Inc.
Established in August 1977 as Taquan Air Service Incorporated, the company initially operated as an air taxi service linking Ketchikan International Airport with Metlakatla on Annette Island. By 1989, it had grown to a fleet of seven aircraft staffed by 45 employees and generating $2.1 million in revenue, making it Alaska’s second-largest air taxi provider at that time. By 1997, the fleet had expanded to 28 planes with a workforce of 175.
Kootznoowoo Inc. 50% owner
In 1997, ownership of Taquan was partially transferred when Kootznoowoo Inc., an Alaska Native Village Corporation representing Angoon, acquired a 50% stake. That same year, Taquan appeared on the cover of Alaska Business Monthly, operating flights to 30 destinations with operational hubs in Ketchikan and Sitka, including cross-border routes into British Columbia. At this point, Taquan was recognized as the largest floatplane operator worldwide and Alaska’s second-largest commuter airline by passenger volume.
Transitioning from a FAR 135 air taxi model to a fully certified FAR 121 airline, Taquan launched AirOne in June 1998 after securing certification and acquiring British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft. AirOne provided vital connections between regional markets such as nonstop service from Ketchikan to Juneau and linked Canadian Airlines’ hub at Prince Rupert Airport with Alaska Airlines at Ketchikan.
Despite these advancements, August 1998 marked Taquan’s first fatal passenger accident. Concurrently, Kootznoowoo’s new CEO faced significant challenges due to declining timber revenues and diminished investment capital. The financial strain caused by the costs associated with FAR 121 certification combined with the downturn in the lumber industry led to AirOne ceasing operations by February 1999. Shortly thereafter, Taquan sold off assets and closed its Sitka hub later that year.
Kootznoowoo Inc.
On November 1, 1999, Kootznoowoo Inc. gained complete control of Taquan Air, having previously held a partial interest since 1997. By December of that year, the company had terminated around 80 employees and discontinued service to 20 destinations, causing a substantial impact on the regional economy and the local businesses reliant on these air connections. The reductions were particularly detrimental to Prince of Wales Island, where diminished transportation options adversely affected both the economic landscape and community services. After these cutbacks, Taquan Air operated solely under government contract flights while Kootznoowoo sought a purchaser, finalizing the sale in April 2000. By 2001, Kootznoowoo had divested all its operational subsidiaries, including those in aviation and timber, transforming into a holding entity.
Venture Travel LLC
From 1997 to 2000, the general manager of Taquan Air had joined following the company's acquisition of his family-run enterprise, Ketchikan Air. He subsequently established Venture Travel, LLC, which in April 2000 acquired key assets from Taquan, including five aircraft, the brand identity, and the lease for the Ketchikan facility. Venture Travel obtained U.S. Postal Service contracts covering mail delivery routes to Hyder, Hydaburg, and Behm Canal, thereby enhancing its revenue base. Passenger service resumed in 2001, and the company secured the U.S. Forest Service Air Service Contract in both 2000 and 2003, maintaining this agreement thereafter. In October 2007, Taquan shifted operations to a new terminal and hangar adjacent to Ketchikan International Airport’s ferry terminal. The airline currently serves 16 destinations, expanding its market presence and strengthening its role within Alaska’s regional aviation sector.
Small Business Person of the Year for Alaska, 1990
In 1990, Taquan Air's founder received notable acclaim when honored as Alaska Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. This recognition highlighted the rapid expansion and development of the company under his leadership. The award ceremony took place at the White House in Washington, D.C., emphasizing both the strategic vision of the business leader and the growing influence of Taquan Air in the marketplace.
Medallion Foundation awards and Sen. Ted Stevens
Taquan Air was an active participant in Alaska’s Medallion Foundation—a voluntary safety initiative championed by Senator Ted Stevens, an advocate and floatplane-certified pilot who secured federal funding for the program. By 2009, Taquan was one of only seven carriers among 37 statewide to achieve a five-star safety rating, demonstrating its dedication to superior operational standards. Senator Stevens personally presented Medallion awards to Taquan in both 2005 and 2008, underscoring the airline’s competitive edge in safety within Alaska’s regional aviation industry.
Investigation of Misty Fjords National Monument air-tour-route accident
On July 24, 2007, a Taquan Air floatplane—a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver—carrying a pilot and four passengers from a cruise ship collided with mountainous terrain with no survivors. At that time, Taquan operated sightseeing flights under contracts with cruise lines servicing Ketchikan, which annually attracted approximately 900,000 cruise visitors. Following this tragedy, a major cruise line ended its partnership with Taquan for the remainder of that year.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted an investigation and determined that pilot error was the primary cause of the crash, further exacerbated by insufficient FAA oversight over southeast Alaska’s air tour sector. The NTSB issued four recommendations to enhance safety: installation of weather cameras along Misty Fjords air routes; implementation of monthly inspections enforcing safe flying practices; development of cue-based pilot training focused on local weather variations; and mandatory completion of this training for commercial air tour pilots.
Plans were set to deploy 139 weather cameras across Alaska by 2014 to improve flight safety and regulatory compliance.
Misty Fjords aerial tours
Taquan Air provides floatplane excursions over Misty Fjords National Monument, targeting the cruise ship clientele that brings nearly one million visitors annually to Ketchikan, a community of approximately 7,000 inhabitants. These sightseeing flights, ranging from two to four hours, depart from the shoreline and venture into mountainous terrain, featuring water landings in isolated locations where passengers have the opportunity to briefly disembark. This offering broadens Taquan's range of services by capitalizing on its advantageous geographic position and tapping into the profitable tourism sector.
Incidents in May 2019
During May 2019, Taquan Air was involved in two fatal crashes within a single week. After the second accident on May 20, the NTSB initiated an independent review of Taquan Air’s overall operational procedures alongside investigations into the specific incidents; the airline chose not to issue any statements. In reaction, Taquan halted all flight operations on May 21, adopting a prudent stance toward regulatory adherence and safety oversight amid intensified FAA scrutiny. The company gradually resumed activities, restarting limited cargo flights on May 23, passenger services on May 31, and sightseeing tours by June 3, following a measured approach aimed at reinstating operations while prioritizing safety improvements.
Accidents and incidents
- July 24, 2007: A Taquan-operated de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver (tail number N995WA) conducting a Misty Fjords aerial tour collided with mountainous terrain near MSL altitude, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and all four passengers aboard. The investigation identified adverse weather conditions as a contributing factor and noted insufficient FAA oversight of tour operators due to staffing reductions. The cause was determined to be "the pilot's choice to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions," further exacerbated by inadequate weather assessment and FAA monitoring.
- May 13, 2019: A mid-air collision took place between a Taquan DHC-3 Turbine Otter and a Mountain Air Service DHC-2 Beaver during sightseeing operations originating from Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base, causing six fatalities. The NTSB highlighted the limitations inherent in the "see-and-avoid" principle and the absence of alert systems warning pilots of nearby traffic as key factors.
- May 20, 2019: Taquan Air Flight 20, operating a scheduled DHC-2 Beaver commuter route from Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base to Metlakatla Seaplane Base (MTM), capsized during a water landing, resulting in the deaths of both pilot and passenger. The NTSB attributed this accident to pilot unfamiliarity with crosswind seaplane landings amid rapidly shifting wind patterns typical at MTM. The airline was criticized for assigning an inexperienced pilot with limited seaplane proficiency to this route under such challenging weather conditions.
Fleet
Taquan Air’s aircraft inventory comprises one Cessna Caravan, eleven de Havilland DHC-2 Beavers, and three de Havilland DHC-3T Turbo Otters, all certified for commercial air taxi service under FAR part 135 regulations.
Destinations
As of February 2011, Taquan Air maintains scheduled flights to various Alaskan locations including principal destinations like Ketchikan (WFB), Coffman Cove (KCC), Craig / Klawock (CGA), and Thorne Bay (KTB). This route network encompasses both year-round and seasonal services connecting remote communities via seaplane bases and airports.
In addition to scheduled stops, Taquan serves several non-regular destinations such as Babe Island (BAI), Bell Island (KBE), and Hollis (HYL). This extensive routing strategy supports Taquan Air’s focus on linking underserved markets throughout Alaska’s inside passage region.
Aerial imagery and route maps
- Route map displaying Taquan Air's connections to 18 destinations, based in Ketchikan, Alaska
- Satellite imagery showcasing Taquan Air's location