Kenmore Air launches service to Sidney, B.C. from Friday Harbor
The service comes after Washington State Ferries announced international ferry service connecting Anacortes to Sidney, BC may not be restored until 2030.
SEATTLE — Kenmore’s plane announced earlier this week that it will expand service from Boeing Field, Paine Filed and Friday Harbor Airports to include Victoria International Airport starting Thursday.
The announcement comes two months after Washington State Ferries (WSF) announced that international ferry service connecting Sidney, British Columbia with Anacortes, Washington may not be restored until 2030.
Kenmore Air said in a statement that it currently offers the only scheduled international service between Friday Harbor and Victoria International Airport.
“We are excited to take another step forward in expanding transportation connectivity to the San Juans, offering Alaska Airlines one-to-seven point service to the west coast through Everett’s Paine Field and airline service. arrival day in Victoria,” David Gudgel, President of Kenmore Air said.
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WSF attributed the service suspension to a lack of ships, namely the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) vessel, which had additional features and was certified for international seafaring.
Service was initially suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to be restored due to crew shortages and several other ships retiring.
WSF said that since no ships were built between 2000 and 2010, its fleet has been reduced due to the retirement of ships. The Washington State Department of Transportation does not expect the next ship to be completed until 2027.
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