Federal Study Cited Eugene Travel Banks as Successful Model

New Search

OZ/22 03 FRI 15:54 FAg 541 682 6838 EUGENE AIRPORT PW ADMIN 1~J001 PRESS RELEASE EUGENE AIRPORT F brwary 21, F r I+~rn~ediate R ease oral Study Ci Eugene Travel t3anics as Successlui Model new federal st of small city efforts to attract additional air service has identified the Eugene Airport and its munity travel k programs as the one mode! that has successfully added and maintained flights and inations. The enerai Accounting Office (GAO) of the U.S. Congress examined 98 small cities tnduding 12 case ies of local regional efforts to attract additional air service. Among its findings published in January 2003: ...E ens O obtained additional service from two airlines because numerous local businesses travel u9 ~ PIS nds to demon a their support for the service. These actions helped one community to initially attract air service nd then develop inabie service. Four other communities that relied on funds from the state or kcal government, 'thout taking additional action, lost the service when the subsidy ended..." • The GA study describes how 65 area businesses contributed $461,000 to a "Travel Bank" together with a Eugene 'rport pledge of $300,000 in marketing funds to spur America West to add 3 daily flights from Eugene its Phoenix hub in September 1999. As of today, America West Express continues to fly three non- stop High to Phoenix and is adding an additional non-stop to Las Vegas on March 1, 2003. • The GA study also details another travel bank established in September 2000 with $452,000 from 57 basins and a $300,000 marketing commitment by the Eugene Airport resulting in Horizon adding daily non-stop flights to Los Angeles. As of today, Horizon continues to fly twice daily to LAX and wilt add a thiM flight in rd. Airport Manager Noble credits the strong public-private partnership that created the travel franks and supports the ' Eugene Airport. Good air service is essential to our regional economy and together with our partners we are committed tom ntaining and adding to our current flight schedules. Our travel banks have become a national model and we plan on sing and improving them in the future". Oregon Cong an Peter I?eFazio, the ranking Democrat on the House Aviation subcommittee, was instrumental in getting the 4 to k~olt at the Issue of service to small sties. "Eugene has always been an innovative leader, and I'm proud to see that the community has continued that tradition with its efforts to maintain air service to small communities," id DeFazio. "Variety and reliability in transportation are essential to the economic success of this dty and the country but since the deregulation of the aviation industry, small and rural communities have gradually been abandoned by ir'lines. Bob Noble and the Eugene business community have proven that small communities like Eugene offer a riling and lucrative investment." As of April 200 ,the Eugene Airport will offer eight daily destinations (Portland, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, l..os Angeles, Phoe oc, Las Vegas and Medford) on three carriers (United express, America West Express and Horizon Air). For more f omnation, please contact Eugene Airport Manager Bob Noble at 682-5430. Appended tot 's news release one additional excerpts frr~m the GAO report: Small Community Air Service (GAO-03- 330). i