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FAQs
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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. 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?
The first carrier was Avelo Airlines in October 2023, providing flights to Las Vegas and Hollywood-Burbank airports twice weekly. Avelo is in the ultra-low-cost market segment (ULCC) along with Allegiant Air, Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit. 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.
5: What Destinations Will I Be Able to Reach?
The initial destinations, provided by Avelo Airlines, have been the Los Angeles Basin (BUR) and Las Vegas (LAS), with Sonoma/Santa Rosa (STS) added in May 2024. Additional locations will depend on which carriers bring new service. Interested carriers would be able to provide non-stops to our top 4 destinations in LA Basin, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and SF Bay Area. The original Strategic Plan identified the United hubs at SFO (San Francisco) and DEN (Denver), Amercan hub at PHX, and the Alaska hub in SEA (Seattle) as the most promising destinations to connect Salem to the entire world.
6: Why Do We Have to Raise Money?
We’re in competition with communities all over North America that are trying to recruit airlines to their area. We need to create a recruitment package that a) demonstrates regional, political, and business community support, b) a plan to market the service, and c) a Minimum Revenue Guarantee (MRG) fund to backfill any potential revenue deficiencies.
7: Who Is Fly Salem?
About 10 Salem community members and business leaders are on the Fly Salem Steering Committee. The anchor members are a collaboration of The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Travel Salem, the City of Salem Airport Manager, and the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR). These represent our region's business community, economic development, and tourism advocates, in addition to the airport owner (The City). The committee is on a voluntary basis and has no staff or budget.
8: What’s the Timeline?
This is an ongoing effort, expected to be indefinite as SLE grows. First service began October 2023, with the first expansion of service announced for May 2024. We hope to achieve one more destination for winter 2024. There are multiple highly interested carriers, and all could start new services within 24 months. REalistically, 2025 is the very earliest we feel we could get a legacy carrier service to a hub. As we have learned from the setbacks, there are a lot of moving parts, and we will adjust and continue to advocate.
9: Why Has It Taken So Long?
We began this effort and raised private funds in 2017. We first met with airline representatives at air service conferences in 2019. Unanticipated setbacks include the grounding of all 737 MAX aircraft (2019); the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2022); The Pilot Shortage (2021-ongoing); and the Ukraine War (2022), causing fuel price hikes and uncertainty. We are subject to the grant cycles, carriers' decision-making calendars, City funding and terminal improvements, the return of business passenger demand, and available pilots and aircraft. It is crucial that we maintain dedicated MRG pledges so that when the time comes, we can call on you to contribute.
10: What Will Tickets Cost? Will They Be More Expensive Than PDX Flights?
We anticipate the low-cost (ULCC) carriers’ fares will be lower than flights from PDX, likely under $99 each way, but we can’t know what the cost will be given for any destination. For Major Legacy airlines, we should anticipate that fares could be higher than PDX. However, fares will be offset by the saving of night-before hotel stays, expensive parking, gasoline, and—more than anything—time. Salem will be a better value for many travelers.