For almost four decades, Salmon Air has been providing air transportation services to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Founded in 1983, the airline has grown from a small regional carrier to a major player in the airline industry, serving a variety of destinations in the area.

The airline’s history began when it was founded by Bill Salmon, a former military pilot. He wanted to make air travel more accessible to the people of the Pacific Northwest and provide an alternative to the large national carriers that had been dominating the region. Salmon Air was initially a charter airline, providing flights to various destinations on a small fleet of aircraft. The airline quickly gained a reputation for its reliable service, and by the early 1990s, Salmon Air had become a major regional carrier.

Today, Salmon Air is one of the largest regional airlines in the Pacific Northwest, operating a fleet of over 35 aircraft. The airline flies to numerous destinations in the region, including Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Boise, and Vancouver. The airline also has several international routes to cities in Mexico and Canada.

One of the most important milestones in the airline’s history was in 2010, when it became the first regional carrier in the US to be approved for extended operations. This allowed Salmon Air to fly larger aircraft and operate longer routes, which enabled the airline to expand its services and reach more destinations.

In 2011, Salmon Air became the first regional carrier in the US to be certified for night operations. This allowed the airline to offer late-night and early morning flights, making air travel more accessible and convenient for passengers.

In 2012, Salmon Air was the first regional airline in the US to be certified for international operations. This allowed the airline to expand its services to include cities in Mexico and Canada, and it opened up new opportunities for the airline.

In 2017, Salmon Air was the first carrier in the US to be certified for extended-range operations. This allowed the airline to fly longer routes and reach more distant destinations.

Sadly, Salmon Air has also been involved in a few incidents over the years. In 2004, one of its aircraft was involved in a fatal crash in Idaho, killing the pilot and three passengers. The cause of the crash was later determined to be pilot error. The airline also faced scrutiny from the FAA in 2017 after a number of safety violations were discovered.

Overall, Salmon Air has come a long way since its founding in 1983. The airline has grown from a small regional carrier to a major player in the airline industry, and it continues to provide reliable and safe air transportation services to the Pacific Northwest region.