Dash Air Shuttle, the company preparing to soon start up commercial passenger air service from Port Angeles to SeaTac says it plans to provide an update on a start date in the next few weeks. Dash Air President Clint Ostler told the Peninsula Daily News he plans to make an announcement at the January 11 Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

The start of air service has been put on hold until after the federal Department of Transportation finishes an investigation into complaints filed by Kenmore Air alleging Dash was conducting unfair and deceptive business practices. Dash had originally planned to begin operations in August. Ostler says “We haven’t heard anything from DOT yet, but our attorney thinks this is good news and we need to move forward.  We’re just getting everything ready to move as soon as we can,” he says.

Meanwhile, Dash Air posted on Facebook four days ago, “In preparation for takeoff, we’ve been practicing the van operation between the main terminal at Seattle-Tacoma Airport and Signature Flight Support.  We’re looking forward to seeing you onboard early next year.”

The Port of Port Angeles has agreed to lease office space to Dash at Fairchild International Airport for $167 a month, a space that would typically cost $525 a month. The port voted to waive the initial cost of the lease as well as the $15 landing fee until August of 2024 to allow Dash to get established, according to the Peninsula Daily News.