Location

In 1955 Orin Seybert founded Peninsula Airways. He was 19 years old, living in Pilot Point, Alaska and owned a 1946 two-seat Taylorcraft. In 1956, a four-seat Piper Tri-Pacer was purchased, and the company was named Peninsula Airways.

In 1967 Peninsula Airways became a full-time subcontractor to Reeve Aleutian Airways, meeting Reeveís certificate obligations to Chignik, Perryville and Ivanoff Bay.

In 1983 Peninsula Airways acquired its first turbine aircraft: a Cessna Conquest operated out of Cold Bay. Peninsula Airways was the first Alaskan air carrier to qualify for CAB Part 419 subsidy, allowing the airline to perform Essential Air Service to Atka, St. George and Kodiak Island.

In 1985 Peninsula Airways acquired all assets of Air Transport Service, Inc., based in Kodiak. Included in the deal was a hangar and office facility with approximately six aircraft and scheduled year-round service to all points on the Island. Anchorage base was started with two Cessna Conquest turbo-props offering charter service from Anchorage to the Pribilof Islands. Scheduled service from Anchorage to King Salmon and Dillingham was added a year later.

In 1991 Peninsula Airways began doing business as PenAir and became a code-share and mileage plan partner with Alaska Airlines.

In 1997 PenAir acquired two Saab 340B aircraft and in 1998 moved into a new hangar/office complex in Anchorage, Alaska.

Today, PenAir is Alaskaís largest commuter airline, operating a fleet of 40 aircraft and providing scheduled service to 36 communities throughout Southwest Alaska. PenAir was the second airline in the state to receive the Medallion Shield Award.