SeaPort recently outbid Horizon for the U.S. Department of Transportation's subsidy that compensates airlines flying in small, rural markets.The government will pay SeaPort nearly $1.57 million for the first year of its contract and $1.6 million for the second year for direct flights between Pendleton and Portland.
The company uses Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 nine-seat single turboprops. Starting Dec. 2, SeaPort plans to fly three times a day between Portland and Pendleton.
Horizon wanted a $3.2 million subsidy to fly 76-seat planes twice a day.
"Capacity doesn't grow markets," Craford said. "Flying one choice at 2:45 in the afternoon -- that doesn't work."
SeaPort's planes lack restrooms, there is no flight attendant, and weights are closely watched -- customers are limited to two 35-pound bags and SeaPort won't fly anyone weighing more than 400 pounds. But Craford says the planes are favored by executives and movie stars.
SeaPort flies about 20 times a day between Portland and Seattle and also owns Wings of Alaska, a charter service based in Juneau, Alaska. It employs about 25 people in Seattle and Portland and another 70 in Alaska.
