Prior to statehood, Southeast was serviced by single engine float planes then by twin-engine WWII surplus seaplanes. In the 60s, the ferry system started serving Southeast from Haines to Prince Rupert. In the 70s, they built airports throughout Southeast except in Haines and started jet service. They also moved the Juneau Ferry Terminal to Auke Bay, thus saving seven hours on the Haines and Sitka runs, and started building the North Juneau Highway to the protected ice-free port in Berner’s Bay. In the 80s, they built the Klondike Highway to Whitehorse, greatly reducing Skagway’s dependency on Juneau and the ferry system.
Since Haines didn’t qualify for jet service or a new paved runway it was serviced by small wheel planes. That finally changed years later after many problems. Then Seaplanes started operating modern 10-seat jet-prop IFR aircraft with generous cargo capacity. With jet and prop jet service our state capitol is no longer dependent on the ferries except for moving vehicles. Since Haines is dependent on Juneau and not the reverse, we need to access Juneau’s markets by noon for $60, not two days and $120, basing the ferry in Haines and Juneau passengers for one day service. Terminating at Berner’s Bay would cut travel and state costs by half.
Dave Werner