Omak Airport To Get Passenger Service

An Alaska-based airline plans to test whether the Omak airport can support passenger service.

Taquan Air plans to offer service to Wenatchee on a trial basis for three to six months starting in June or July, said Ron Johnston-Rodriguez, owner of a consulting firm working with the parties.

The service will start with a morning trip to Wenatchee and return flight in the evening, he said.

Possible flights to Seattle, Spokane and Portland will be studied, he said.

He expects planes with capacities of six to 19 passengers to be used. No prices have been established.

The service will be supported with the help of a $35,400 federal grant to see whether Okanogan County can support a commuter airline. The grant money is funded through the USDA Forest Service’s Rural Community Assistance Program.

“The importance of a complete transportation system serving an area is critical to many of the companies looking to relocate from metropolitan areas,” said John Rayburn, executive director of the Okanogan County Council for Economic Development.