New Ticket Survey Confirms Improving Trends at Eugene Airport

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07/1/02 WED 13:3 FAX 541 682 6838 EUGENE AIRPORT PW ADMIN 001 I PRESS RELEASE To: Media Contacts From: Diana Bell July 10, 2 02 For Imm diate Release New Ticket urvey Confirms Improving Trends at Eugene Airport Fare dispari continues to narrow while traveler retention rate Improves The amount t velars pay to fly out of Eugene, rather than drive to Portland International Airport, decreased to n average of $66 per ticket in the latest'?Icket Lift Survey" completed in April 2002. That's down 11% fr October 2001 when the fare disparity was $74 and down 59% since April 1999 when the difference wa $163. Eugene Airpo Manager Bob Noble is encouraged by the survey results. "We are always working to narrow the fa a gap to make the Eugene Airport more affordable. Adding Horizon and America West flights over th past three years has helped. With faster security checks and more convenient parking, the Eugene Airpo is an attractive alternative that can cut several hours off travel time in bow directions." The April su ey also indicated that 60°k of the tickets purchased by those in the sample (travelers from Roseburg to Ibany, from the coast to the Cascades), originated their travel at the Eugene Airport while 40% began air trips at Portland. That's an improvement from the 54% retention rate in October 2001. The survey al o demonstrated that 82% of tickets purchased by travelers from Eugene-Springfield used the Eugene rport for their travel needs, up from 70% In October of 2001. A total of 476 airline tickets for the month of April were collected from 18 travel agencies and tabulated to develop info anon on travel patterns on passengers in the Eugene Airport's regional service area. Other pattern identified in the survey: • Euge e's top five destinations Include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego and Phoe ix. • Unite Airlines captured 47% of the travel; down from 52% a year ago. • 32.7 of travelers were headed for cities in the West; 12.3% to Northwest destinations; 8.0% to an in ernational locale. For more info anon, please contact Diana Bell at 682-5430 . City of Eugene Bugene Airport 541-682-8351 541-682--6838 (~a~)