"Alaska Seaplanes"

Board member Angela Rodell says not committing a big chunk of the grant money to a capital project would give them flexibility and serve the most people. 

The Alaska Marine Highway System’s shutdown of regional service till March is having ripple effects for Southeast Alaska’s miners. Some of the 30 or so miners living in Haines are struggling to get to work — and keep their jobs.

Below-average temperatures in Southeast Alaska have put a freeze on an important transportation link in the region.

Harris Air is grounding its Sitka-based fleet after 20 years of passenger service. The move leaves some Southeast Alaska communities with only one option for commuter flights.

The original plan was to return to Juneau after the Southeast Alaska State Fair. But with no ferries running, the Peterson’s Pretzels truck is stuck in Haines. And business is booming.

Some visitors who arrived in Haines on the ferry before the strike began are stuck. But some regional transportation services and tour companies are trying to pick up the slack.

Alaska Seaplanes is planning to continue offering direct, 55-minute flights between Juneau and Whitehorse for at least the next two seasons.

Alaska Seaplanes recently announced that they will add a new flight between Juneau and Whitehorse. This is a big deal for travelers in Southeast Alaska because it opens up international travel directly from the capital city, which hasn’t existed for some time.

Almost a year after Haines was left with only one option for flying in and out, there’s a new airline in town. Sitka-based Harris Air began flying to Haines in late December.

An investigation into an August commuter flight accident takes a close look at the aircraft’s fuel sources. A Haines-based pilot made an emergency water landing in the Juneau area in August. He, along with four passengers, swam safely to shore.