Since 1977, Taquan Air has played a vital role in connecting Southeast Alaska’s remote communities to the rest of the region—and the world. Founded in Metlakatla, Alaska by Jerry Scudero, the name “Taquan” means “village by the sea” in the Tsimshian language. The company has stayed true to its roots, growing from a single floatplane operation into one of Alaska’s most recognized air carriers. With deep Indigenous ties, a strong focus on safety, and decades of dependable service, Taquan Air has flown it all. From passengers and seafood, to mail and emergency supplies—Taquan has cemented its legacy as a true lifeline in the skies of Southeast Alaska.

A New Beginning: Salazar’s Vision for Taquan Air

In April 2000, Brien Salazar purchased six DeHavilland Beavers and the rights to the Taquan Air name. This launched a new chapter under the company, Venture Travel. With this transition came key contracts from the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Postal Service, allowing Taquan to provide essential mail delivery to Hyder and Hydaburg. Operating out of its original Water Street location, Taquan expanded its mail routes in 2001 to serve the greater Ketchikan area and communities across Prince of Wales Island.

Expanding Our Fleet, Elevating Our Service

Around this time, the company began converting its fleet to the Kenmore Air six-window tour configuration to enhance the passenger experience. In 2003, the fleet grew to seven aircrafts, and by the end of 2004, every aircraft had been updated. Taquan also joined the voluntary Medallion Foundation safety program, steadily earning safety stars and ultimately becoming a Medallion Shield Carrier in August 2008. As operations continued to grow, Taquan added an eighth Beaver in 2007 and relocated from its Water Street facility to a new base at 4085 Tongass Avenue—officially moving into a state-of-the-art facility in May 2008.

Over the decades, Taquan Air has carried just about everything imaginable across the skies of Southeast Alaska. From freight and UPS shipments to live fish, geoducks, sea cucumbers, and frozen salmon, our floatplanes have supported both commercial industries and local livelihoods.

Taquan has transported loggers, fishermen, tourists, community residents, miners, and even worked alongside agencies like the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Alaska State Troopers, and local law enforcement. Whether it’s cargo or passengers, routine delivery or emergency support, our motto has always been simple: if it fits through the door, we’ll get it where it needs to go. That commitment to reliability and versatility is what’s made Taquan Air a trusted name in Alaska floatplane service for over 45 years.

Serving Alaska’s Remote Communities for Over 45 Years

The name Taquan, meaning “village by the sea” in the Tsimshian language, has long been tied to both the community of Metlakatla and the skies over Southeast Alaska. Since launching our first scheduled floatplane service on August 18, 1977, Taquan has provided over 45 years of continuous air service between the Metlakatla waterfront and Ketchikan, supporting the community with dependable passenger flights, cargo transport, mail delivery, seafood shipments, and even emergency medical evacuations.

Beyond Metlakatla, Taquan has also served as a tenured Essential Air Service (EAS) carrier for the City of Hydaburg since the late 1990s, and has held the USPS contract for bi-weekly postal service to Hyder for more than 22 years. These longstanding routes reflect Taquan’s deep commitment to reliability, connectivity, and service to the remote communities that rely on aviation as a lifeline.

Serving the Heart of Alaska: Reliable Floatplane Service to Remote Communities

Taquan Air provides year-round scheduled floatplane service to more than a dozen remote communities across Annette Island, Prince of Wales Island, and the Southeast Alaska mainland. With daily flights to Metlakatla, Hyder, Coffman Cove, Craig/Klawock, Hydaburg, Edna Bay, Naukati, Point Baker, Port Protection, Thorne Bay, Kassan, Hollis, Whale Pass, and Meyers Chuck, Taquan plays a vital role in keeping Alaska connected.

Our operations are based out of a state-of-the-art seaplane facility located on the town side of Ketchikan, Alaska, built in 2007. This modern hub at 4085 Tongass Avenue houses all flight, maintenance, cargo, and passenger services, just steps away from the Ketchikan International Airport and the Alaska Marine Highway terminal. As a leader in aviation safety, Taquan was the first Part 135 air taxi operator in Alaska to develop and implement an FAA-accepted Safety Management System Voluntary Program (SMS-VP)—one of only 47 accepted programs of its kind in the U.S. This comprehensive approach to safety ensures every flight is operated with the highest standards in risk management, maintenance, and care.

Tourism and Flightseeing

In addition to serving Alaska’s remote communities, Taquan Air proudly offers unforgettable flightseeing tours that showcase the raw, breathtaking beauty of Southeast Alaska from above. One of our most popular experiences is soaring over the awe-inspiring Misty Fjords National Monument, where guests can witness sheer granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, glacier-carved valleys, and endless miles of untouched wilderness—all from the window of a classic floatplane. These tours give visitors a rare perspective on the landscape that few ever get to see, combining the thrill of flight with the serenity of Alaska’s most pristine backcountry. For many of our guests, it’s the highlight of their trip—an authentic and immersive way to experience Alaska from the sky.

Then, Now, Always—Flying for Alaska

At Taquan Air, we’re proud to stand at the intersection of community service and unforgettable adventure. For nearly five decades, we’ve played a vital role in keeping Southeast Alaska connected—delivering essential freight and emergency transport for the communities that rely on us year-round.

For visitors, we offer a front-row seat to Alaska’s wild beauty, with breathtaking flightseeing tours over places like Misty Fjords and bear-viewing adventures that create once-in-a-lifetime memories. Our operations are rooted in a deep respect for the land we call home, the people, and the culture of this region. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability, and care. Whether you’re boarding a flight home, or the adventure of a lifetime, you’re not just flying with Taquan—you’re experiencing Alaska the way it was meant to be seen: from the air, with heart.