Alaska Seaplanes to introduce new Juneau-Whitehorse flight

Alaska Seaplanes has announced it will be flying to and from Whitehorseon a regular basis.

The JuneauWhitehorse flights will begin in Mayif all goes well, the company says.

"We've been considering scheduled service to Whitehorse for two and a half years," said CarlRamseth, general manager of the airline.

The flight is expected to run three times a week between May and September. ThePilatusPC-12 plane willseat nine passengers.

The company currently serves a dozen destinations, mostly smaller communities, from its base in Juneau. Flights range from 15 minutes to an hour.

Ramseth said the Whitehorse flight will take approximately 45 minutes, and will cost around$299USplus taxes and fees the price point currently charged by the airline fora one-hour flight.

Attractive for businesses, individuals

Ramseth said the new flight, which connects the capitals of Yukon and Alaska,will be very attractive for businesses and individuals. Right now, there is no road link between the two cities. Juneau canonly be reached by planeor by boat.

"I knowYukonerslike to head toward the water and fish,anda lot of people in Juneau get tired of being wet all the time and they'd like to come up and explore what you have to offer up here," said Ramseth.

Alaska Seaplanes is currently waiting for Transport Canada approval ofthe new route.

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Ramseth said the company is committing to the routeforthree years, on a seasonal basis.

"This isn't just atry it for a year, and see if it works [situation]," he said, adding that the company will look at increasing the frequency of the flight, if demand grows.

It'll be the company's first regular international route.

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