Kenai Peninsula residents will have a new way to get to Anchorage come May, following the Kenai City Council’s April 20 greenlight of agreements between the city and Kenai Aviation. Beginning the first week of May, Kenai Aviation will offer two daily round-trip flights between Kenai and Anchorage, Monday through Friday.

Per a proposed schedule prepared for the council by Kenai Aviation, the airline will also offer flights between Anchorage and Homer, as well as between Anchorage and Valdez. According to booking information provided on Kenai Aviation’s website, one-way flights between Kenai and Anchorage cost around $120, while one-way flights between Homer and Anchorage cost around $200.

The airline, which says it’s the oldest running family business in the City of Kenai, will join Grant Aviation and Ravn Alaska in operating out of Kenai Municipal Airport. Kenai Aviation also offers air charters, flightseeing and flight training.

Council member Henry Knackstedt said that the expanded hours of operation and service to Valdez will allow the new airline to be competitive but also offer new opportunities for customers.

Council member Teea Winger, who said she supports the addition of the airline, said she was able to meet with the airline owners and tour one of their planes.

“I think it’s great to see Kenai Aviation expanding their business,” Winger said.

The Kenai City Council’s full meeting can be viewed on the city’s YouTube channel.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.