Taquan Air
An Alaska-based regional airline specializing in scheduled seaplane transport, charter flights, mail service, and flightseeing tours.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Taquan Air is the operating name of Venture Travel, LLC, a privately held regional airline headquartered in Ketchikan, Alaska. The carrier provides scheduled passenger transportation, charter services, cargo and United States Postal Service mail flights, and aerial sightseeing tours. Its principal base is Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base, located in the same harbor and airspace area as Ketchikan International Airport. The airline serves the dispersed communities of southeastern Alaska, where waterways, mountainous terrain, limited roads, and infrequent ferry connections make small-aircraft transportation an important part of everyday mobility. The company began in August 1977 as Taquan Air Service Incorporated, initially operating as an air taxi between Ketchikan International Airport and Metlakatla on Annette Island. The name Taquan derives from the Tlingit expression associated with a village by the sea and is also connected with Taak'w Aan, an alternate name for Annette Island. During the 1980s and 1990s, the business expanded substantially. It operated seven aircraft and employed approximately 45 people by 1989, then grew to 28 aircraft and about 175 employees by 1997. In that peak year, Taquan reportedly carried approximately 243,000 passengers, operated from Ketchikan and Sitka, served about 30 destinations, and had begun international operations to British Columbia. It was described at the time as the world's largest floatplane company and Alaska's second-largest air commuter service. In 1997, Alaska Native village corporation Kootznoowoo Inc. acquired a 50 percent interest. Taquan then pursued certification under Federal Aviation Regulations Part 121, which would permit larger scheduled-airline operations carrying more than nine passengers. The company obtained certification and launched a larger-aircraft operation branded AirOne in 1998, using British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft. AirOne connected Ketchikan with Juneau and linked Prince Rupert with Ketchikan in a schedule coordinated with other carriers. The expansion proved financially difficult. Certification and operating costs, weaker economic conditions, and a downturn in the regional lumber industry contributed to the closure of AirOne on February 14, 1999, followed by asset liquidation, layoffs, and closure of the Sitka hub. Kootznoowoo acquired full ownership in November 1999 and subsequently reduced the operation sharply. Most employees were laid off at the end of that year, and service to approximately 20 communities ended. The contraction affected communities dependent on air links for medical logistics, mail, commerce, and personal travel. In April 2000, Venture Travel, LLC acquired important Taquan assets, including five aircraft, the brand name, and the Ketchikan lease. Scheduled passenger flights resumed in 2001. Mail contracts serving communities including Hyder, Hydaburg, and the Behm Canal area, together with government and forest-service contracts, helped underpin the rebuilt business. Taquan's current identity is closely associated with amphibious and float-equipped aircraft, particularly the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-3T Turbo Otter. It serves communities and remote destinations throughout the Alaska Panhandle and also conducts seasonal tourism flights over Misty Fjords National Monument and within the Tongass National Forest. These tours are marketed primarily to visitors arriving on cruise ships and typically combine coastal, mountain, and remote-water scenery with a landing on a secluded lake or inlet. Safety has been a major part of the airline's public history. A 2007 sightseeing crash in the Misty Fjords led the National Transportation Safety Board to criticize pilot weather decisions and inadequate federal oversight of southeast Alaska's air-tour industry. The investigation helped prompt recommendations for weather cameras and improved monitoring on air-tour routes. In May 2019, two fatal accidents involving Taquan aircraft occurred within one week. The airline temporarily suspended all flights, then resumed cargo, scheduled passenger, and sightseeing operations in stages under heightened Federal Aviation Administration oversight. Taquan remains an active small-aircraft carrier whose role is defined less by national scale than by essential regional connectivity and specialized seaplane operations.
History
Taquan Air Service Incorporated was established in August 1977 in Ketchikan, Alaska. Its first operation was a small air-taxi route between Ketchikan International Airport and Metlakatla on Annette Island. The carrier expanded with the growth of southeastern Alaska's tourism, fishing, timber, government, and remote-community economies. By 1989 it had seven aircraft and 45 employees. By 1997 it had grown to 28 aircraft and approximately 175 employees, served roughly 30 destinations from Ketchikan and Sitka, and carried about 243,000 passengers. It was then characterized as the world's largest floatplane company and Alaska's second-largest air commuter service. Kootznoowoo Inc., the Alaska Native village corporation associated with Angoon, became a 50 percent owner in 1997. That year Taquan attempted to move beyond its Part 135 air-taxi model by obtaining Part 121 airline certification. The company acquired British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft and introduced AirOne in 1998. AirOne offered scheduled service from Ketchikan to Juneau and a cross-border connection between Prince Rupert and Ketchikan. The expansion encountered high certification and operating costs, while a decline in the lumber economy weakened the regional business environment. After a fatal passenger accident in August 1998 and a deterioration in the company's financial outlook, AirOne ceased operating on February 14, 1999. Taquan sold assets, laid off workers, and closed its Sitka hub. Kootznoowoo obtained complete ownership on November 1, 1999. By the end of that year, the airline had stopped serving approximately 20 communities and dismissed most of its workforce. The loss of service affected remote communities that relied on aircraft for mail, medical shipments, business, and personal travel. In April 2000, Venture Travel, LLC acquired five aircraft, the Taquan name, and the Ketchikan lease. The purchaser was formed by the former Taquan general manager, who had previously joined the company when it acquired assets from Ketchikan Air. Passenger operations resumed in 2001. Postal contracts serving Hyder, Hydaburg, and the Behm Canal area, together with United States Forest Service and other government contracts, became important components of the renewed business. In October 2007, Taquan moved into a new terminal and hangar facility near the eastern terminus of the ferry serving Ketchikan International Airport. The carrier continued to operate small floatplanes and to serve communities across the Alaska Panhandle. Its tourism business includes flightseeing in Misty Fjords National Monument and bear-viewing and wilderness excursions associated with Tongass National Forest. The airline also participated in Alaska's Medallion Foundation voluntary safety program and was reported to have achieved all five program stars by 2009. The 2007 Misty Fjords crash became a significant safety turning point. On July 24, a Taquan DHC-2 Beaver struck mountainous terrain in poor and rapidly changing weather, killing the pilot and four passengers. The NTSB found that the pilot continued under visual-flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions and that FAA oversight of the commercial air-tour sector was inadequate. The board recommended weather cameras along air-tour routes, regular ground and en-route inspections, and specialized training for pilots dealing with changing local weather. The accident contributed to the broader installation of weather cameras across Alaska. Taquan faced another severe safety crisis in May 2019. On May 13, a Taquan sightseeing Turbo Otter collided with a Mountain Air Service Beaver, killing six people in total. One week later, on May 20, Taquan Flight 20 overturned while landing at Metlakatla, killing its pilot and passenger. The NTSB's findings addressed limitations in see-and-avoid operations, traffic-alert equipment, crosswind and downdraft conditions, pilot experience, and the airline's dispatch decisions. Taquan suspended all flights on May 21 and restored cargo, scheduled passenger, and sightseeing operations in phases later that month and in early June under increased FAA scrutiny. The airline's continuing business is based on Part 135 small-aircraft service, with a fleet centered on Beaver, Turbo Otter, and Cessna Caravan aircraft.
- 2019
Operations suspended after two fatal accidents
[1]After two fatal accidents in May, the airline pauses operations and resumes cargo, passenger, and sightseeing services in stages.
- 2007
New Ketchikan terminal and hangar
[1]Taquan moves into a new terminal and hangar facility near the ferry connection to Ketchikan International Airport.
- 2001
Scheduled passenger service resumes
[1]The rebuilt airline restarts scheduled passenger flights while developing postal and government-contract work.
- 2000
Venture Travel acquires Taquan assets
[1]Venture Travel, LLC acquires the Taquan name, five aircraft, and the Ketchikan lease.
- 1999
AirOne closes and Taquan downsizes
[1]AirOne ceases operation, the Sitka hub closes, and Taquan reduces service and staffing after a difficult expansion.
- 1998
AirOne launches
[1]After obtaining Part 121 certification, Taquan begins larger-aircraft scheduled operations under the AirOne brand.
- 1997
Peak floatplane expansion
[1]Taquan reaches 28 aircraft, approximately 175 employees, about 30 destinations, and 243,000 passengers; Kootznoowoo Inc. takes a 50 percent stake.
- 1990
Alaska Small Business Person of the Year recognition
[1]The company's owner is selected by the Alaska office of the U.S. Small Business Administration and honored in Washington, D.C.
- 1989
Early regional expansion
[1]The airline reaches seven aircraft and approximately 45 employees.
- 1977
Taquan Air Service is established
[1]The company begins air-taxi operations between Ketchikan and Metlakatla.
Products and positioning
A specialized southeastern Alaska transportation provider combining essential community air service with floatplane charters, mail routes, government contracts, and nature-oriented tourism.
Regional passenger aviation · 1977
Scheduled seaplane passenger service
Taquan connects Ketchikan with small and remote communities in southeastern Alaska, including locations on Prince of Wales Island and nearby islands. Its network is designed for short-haul transportation in an area where roads and ferry schedules are limited. Operations use small float-equipped aircraft capable of landing on protected coastal waters and other seaplane bases.
Charter and logistics aviation
Charter and cargo flights
The airline provides on-demand charter and cargo services for residents, businesses, public agencies, and visitors. It has also operated United States Postal Service routes and government aviation contracts, including service associated with the U.S. Forest Service.
Aerial tourism
Misty Fjords flightseeing
Taquan offers sightseeing flights from Ketchikan over Misty Fjords National Monument and the Tongass National Forest. Tours generally combine views of the coast, rainforest, fjords, and mountains with a landing on a remote body of water. Cruise-ship visitors have historically been an important customer group.
Scheduled airline operation · 1998
AirOne
AirOne was a larger-aircraft scheduled operation launched after Taquan obtained Part 121 certification. Using British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft, it served Ketchikan–Juneau and a Prince Rupert–Ketchikan route. High costs and adverse economic conditions led to its closure in 1999.
Controversies
2019
Two fatal accidents and temporary shutdown
Two Taquan aircraft were involved in fatal accidents within one week in May 2019. The airline suspended all flights and restarted operations progressively under increased FAA oversight. NTSB findings addressed traffic-awareness limitations, weather, pilot experience, and dispatch decisions.
2007
Misty Fjords sightseeing crash and regulatory criticism
A Taquan sightseeing aircraft crashed in deteriorating weather, killing five people. The NTSB criticized the pilot's weather decision and inadequate FAA surveillance of the commercial air-tour industry, leading to recommendations for weather cameras, inspections, and specialized training.
Brand decisions
2019
Phased restart after safety suspensionStrategyBackground
Two fatal accidents in May prompted a complete operational pause and intensified FAA oversight.
Action taken
Taquan resumed cargo service first, followed by scheduled passenger service and then on-demand sightseeing flights.
Aftermath
The staged restart allowed the carrier to restore its principal service categories while operating under heightened regulatory attention.
2000
Venture Travel acquisition of Taquan assetsM&ABackground
After major downsizing under Kootznoowoo ownership, the Taquan brand and operating assets required a new owner.
Action taken
Venture Travel, LLC acquired five aircraft, the brand name, and the Ketchikan lease.
Aftermath
Scheduled passenger operations resumed in 2001, supported by mail and government contracts.
1997
Pursuit of Part 121 airline certificationStrategyBackground
Taquan sought to grow beyond its Part 135 air-taxi model and operate aircraft carrying more than nine passengers.
Action taken
The company obtained Part 121 certification, acquired Jetstream 32 aircraft, and launched the AirOne operation.
Aftermath
The expansion became too costly in combination with weaker regional economic conditions, and AirOne ceased operations in February 1999.
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