Puyallup Tribe and Kenmore Air Open Seaplane Base in Tacoma

Partnership plan announced last year becomes a reality

Meg Godlewski

Friday, August 11, 2023 at 12:33 PM ET

Verified

City and county officials, tribal members, and Kenmore representatives prepare to cut the ribbon [Meg Godlewski]

Key Takeaways:

The Puyallup Tribe of Washington State and Kenmore Air officially opened a new seaplane dock and terminal on the Tacoma waterfront on August 10, 2023.
Public scenic flights from the new South Puget Sound base began August 11, offering 20-minute tours of local landmarks such as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Mount Rainier.
This partnership revitalizes floatplane operations on historically significant tribal lands and includes a comfortable waiting area and a new restaurant by world-renowned Chef Roy Yamaguchi.

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In May 2022 the Puyallup Tribe of Washington State and Pacific Northwest seaplane giant Kenmore Air announced a partnership to bring floatplane operations to the Tacoma waterfront along land once inhabited by the Puyallup Tribe.

On August 10, 2023, a ceremony was held to announce the mission has been accomplished. The new dock and seaplane terminal are open, and flights for the public begin this weekend.