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Klamath Falls wants to secure airline revenues
Monday, August 18, 2008 | No comments posted.
KLAMATH FALLS (AP) — The city of Klamath Falls is joining several local businesses to bring back air service to Portland.
Klamath Falls Airport Director Derek Martin said they want to raise more than $620,000 to guarantee revenue for the participating airline if it fails to break even on flights.
Horizon Air announced in June it would end its northbound flights from Klamath Falls to Portland on Oct. 11 after 20 years of service.
Horizon officials cited rising fuel costs and low passenger numbers as the main reason for leaving.
But they also said they worried the new southbound service, SkyWest, a carrier of United Airlines, would further cut into meager profits from the rural airport.
The community has been scrambling to find a replacement for a flight that serves more than 40,000 passengers a year.
Martin said the proposed total for guaranteed revenue was figured from a worst-case scenario that Klamath Falls would only be able to seat 15 passengers per flight.
However, he said recent flights from Klamath Falls to Portland averaged 26 passengers.
The money may not be used, but it’s needed to start the service, Martin said.
The Klamath Falls City Council is considering a $200,000 contribution to the guaranteed revenue fund.
Klamath City Manager Jeff Ball said Klamath County had discussed adding $100,000.
Other businesses and organizations already involved are Sky Lakes Medical Center, OIT Foundation, Klamath County, Jeld-Wen, Klamath County Economic Develop-ment Association and the Herald and News.
Trey Senn, the economic development association executive director, said northbound air service is the most important element to the economic development of Klamath County.
Klamath Falls Airport Director Derek Martin said they want to raise more than $620,000 to guarantee revenue for the participating airline if it fails to break even on flights.
Horizon Air announced in June it would end its northbound flights from Klamath Falls to Portland on Oct. 11 after 20 years of service.
Horizon officials cited rising fuel costs and low passenger numbers as the main reason for leaving.
But they also said they worried the new southbound service, SkyWest, a carrier of United Airlines, would further cut into meager profits from the rural airport.
The community has been scrambling to find a replacement for a flight that serves more than 40,000 passengers a year.
Martin said the proposed total for guaranteed revenue was figured from a worst-case scenario that Klamath Falls would only be able to seat 15 passengers per flight.
However, he said recent flights from Klamath Falls to Portland averaged 26 passengers.
The money may not be used, but it’s needed to start the service, Martin said.
The Klamath Falls City Council is considering a $200,000 contribution to the guaranteed revenue fund.
Klamath City Manager Jeff Ball said Klamath County had discussed adding $100,000.
Other businesses and organizations already involved are Sky Lakes Medical Center, OIT Foundation, Klamath County, Jeld-Wen, Klamath County Economic Develop-ment Association and the Herald and News.
Trey Senn, the economic development association executive director, said northbound air service is the most important element to the economic development of Klamath County.
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