Governor Announces Agreement to Continue Air Service in Klamath Falls and North Bend
(Salem)– Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced an agreement between United Airlines/Sky West Airlines and the communities of Klamath Falls and North Bend/Coos Bay to continue air service to Portland from those communities for the next year. The agreement comes after the Governor convened the Oregon Commercial Air Service Coalition in July to address the problem of air service being discontinued to small communities across the state.
“Air service is critical to the economic vitality of small communities all across Oregon and the Oregon Commercial Air Service Coalition should be commended for its rapid response to the pending loss of service,” Governor Kulongoski said. “This agreement will ensure continued service to these communities while the state and local partners continue to work on a long term solution for air service in all of Oregon.”
In response to decisions made by Alaska/Horizon Airlines to terminate service to Portland on October 11, 2008, the Governor formed the Oregon Commercial Air Service Coalition, a group comprised of Oregon’s commercial airports with the purpose of preserving and maintaining air service. The Coalition has been working with United Airlines/Sky West Airlines to fill the gaps created by the loss of service. The agreements reached with United Airlines/SkyWest Airlines today will allow for northbound service to Portland International Airport (PDX) to begin in mid-October 2008, ensuring continuous, non-stop service from Klamath Falls and North Bend/Coos Bay to Portland.
“We have seen small communities in Oregon become more and more isolated by a lack of transportation services,” said Governor Kulongoski. “This agreement will help us secure greater connectivity across our state, which is critical to the health of our economy and our overall quality of life.”
The agreement is a revenue sharing guarantee contract with the City of Klamath Falls and the Coos County Airport District with United Airlines/Sky West Airlines. In addition to the local dollars, federal grants and assistance from Mayor Tom Potter and Commissioner Sam Adams from the City of Portland helped finalize the contract. The Port of Portland also committed to providing marketing support to help make sure the new service is a success.
“Today’s announcement also highlights the importance of working across urban and rural lines to provide a benefit for all of Oregon,” the Governor continued. “Today would not be possible without the commitment and leadership of officials in Klamath Falls, the Coos Bay area and the City of Portland.”
Contact:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
Dan Clem, (Dept. of Aviation), 503-480-9002
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