[Comm-Council] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Announces Continued Air Service in Klamath Falls and North Bend

[HENSON Raelynn * DAS DO]

________________________________

From: GOVERNORS Press [mailto:Governors.Press at state.or.us] 
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:12 PM
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Announces Continued Air Service in
Klamath Falls and North Bend

 

 

 

Theodore R. Kulongoski

          Governor

          

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

August 28, 2008

 

Contact: 
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169

Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040 

Dan Clem, (Dept. of Aviation), 503-480-9002

 

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."

 

 

 

- 30 - 

 

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