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Reinstating Passenger Air Service in Salem, Oregon

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Our Goals:

  • Non-Stop Passenger Flights to the Most Popular Destinations: LA Basin/Las Vegas/Phoenix/SF Bay Area
  • Major Airline Service to a Major Hub
  • Bringing Visitors to the Mid-Valley
  • Connecting Salem to the World

Read our FAQs to learn more.

Briefing the Effort

The Fly Salem Steering Committee was formed in 2018 and is anchored by representatives from Travel Salem, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), and the City of Salem Airport Manager.
Private funds were used to buy a “Leakage and Retention Study” and subsequent Strategic Plan through Volaire Aviation consultants. The study was updated for the calendar year 2019 as a pre-pandemic benchmark. With this data, we learned how many people are flying, from what zip codes, where they fly, and what they pay. The second study was paid for largely with a ROAR Grant from the Oregon Department of Aviation, in addition to matching private donations.
There is a conservative figure of 650,000 people in the “catchment area” from which we expect to draw local passengers. The Mid-Willamette Valley has one of the largest populations and economies of the western cities that currently have service.
We have met face-to-face with the following airlines, some more than once, and some we will meet with again:
  • Airbahn
  • Alaska
  • Allegiant Air
  • American
  • Avelo
  • Breeze Airways
  • Contour
  • Frontier
  • SkyWest
  • Southwest
  • Spirit
  • Sun Country
  • United
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Minimum Revenue Guarantee (MRG)

To attract a major airline, we had to put together and maintain a competitive and complete recruitment package that entails the following:
  • Data demonstrating demand in the “catchment area,” which we have in the “Leakage and Retention Study.”
  • Community and regional support, especially the business community. This is in place, and growing. See the Letters of Support page.
  • A marketing plan to promote the new service. Travel Salem has prepared a two-year marketing plan, and it has been funded by the ROAR Grant plus tourism funds. See the Grants page.
  • And now, lastly, a Minimum Revenue Guarantee.

FAQs

1: Is Salem’s Airport Large Enough for Commercial Air Service? Is the Runway Long Enough?
At 5,811 feet, the main runway is over one mile long (longer than the runway at Orange County/John Wayne Airport) and can easily accommodate the regional aircraft we would see in Salem. It can even handle 737s.
2: How Much Public Money Is Being Spent on This Effort?
In January 2023, the Salem City Council voted to spend some general fund money to update the terminal to accommodate TSA's screening needs. We view this as an investment in a City asset similar to Public Works and Police buildings recently built, and the LIbrary and Civic Center upgrades. "Older asset, increased needs" means investments are needed. In addition, the Council approved funds to add staff to build and execute a needed safety plan. Up until then, no general fund dollars had been spent on this 5-year effort. It's been a broad, private-sector community effort and will continue to be so. The goal is for airline service to create new revenues such that the airport does not require general fund operational needs. Funding to date includes private contributions and a $500,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Aviation funded with aviation fuel taxes. The committee plans to raise all necessary funds with 1) local contributions, 2) economic development contributions from area cities and counties, and 3) state and federal grants. It's important to note that revenue created at the airport cannot be spent on other priorities like public safety or homeless efforts.
3: Didn’t This Fail Last Time? Why Do It Again?
Actually, no, it didn't fail. Salem lost Delta air service in 2008 due to external factors unrelated to Salem—the tripling of the price of oil and the impending recession. The Salem area did support the service and proved itself a viable market. At the same time that service ceased in Salem, dozens of other communities lost their service due to the same factors. The Delta service was a success, and now we have even stronger demographics and a stronger, more robust economy.
4: What Airlines Will We Get?
Avelo was first to provide service and we have flights to Los Angeles through Hollywood-Burbank Airport (BUR), Las Vegas (LAS), and Sonoma/Santa Rosa (STS). Avelo is in the ultra-low-cost market segment (ULCC). Carriers in this segment include Allegiant Air, Avelo, Breeze Airways, Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit, among others. The original Strategic Plan indicated that our goal of a "Major Carrier to a Major Hub" would align with United or Alaska or with regional carrier powerhouse SkyWest in conjunction with either of those. Due to the pilot shortage, 2025 is likely to be the earliest timeline for this type of carrier.
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Salem, OR Willamette Valley