Alaska Seaplanes (J5, Juneau International) has resumed work on its plan to launch a base in Sitka, AK, which was briefly put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local KINY radio has reported.

The carrier plans to base a Cessna (single piston) C206 seaplane at Sitka airport. It will also employ local pilots and administrative staff. The airline did not disclose a specific timeline for the launch of the new base.

Under the original plan, the airline hoped to launch the base on April 1. Earlier in 2020, it bought a 780-square-metre hangar near Sitka airport.

Alaska Seaplanes is set to become the first airline with a crew and aircraft base there, the ch-aviation PRO airports module shows. The airport in the southernmost part of Alaska is also served on a scheduled basis by Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International) and Alaska Central Express (KO, Anchorage Ted Stevens). Alaska Seaplanes itself operates scheduled services from Sitka to Juneau International and Klawock using PC-12 aircraft.