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This morning Seaport Airlines announced it will start service on March 1 from Pangborn Airport to Yakima and Portland.  Service will include three round trips each weekday and one weekend round trip.  This is great news for our Valley, central Washington, and Pangborn Memorial buy viagra online Airport. 

Before I go any further, time for full disclosure.  In addition to my job as Chamber Director, I am an elected Chelan County Port Commissioner (since December 2006).  The Port of Chelan County jointly owns and operates Pangborn Memorial Airport with the Port of Douglas County.  One of my primary responsibilities as a Commissioner is Pangborn airport.  I am very familiar with Pangborn and the impacts of this news. but shouldn’t be considered totally disinterested.

Let me start at the beginning of the Chamber’s support of Pangborn (at least since I have been Director).  In October of 2004 a great conference Read More »

Over the weekend the NY Times published a great article on the impact the recession has had on air service across the country.  The positive correlation between a (relatively) strong regional economy and good air service was reaffirmed by recent air service trends.

If you have flown in recent years you have seen and experienced the changes referenced in the article (see link below).  Since deregulation in the 1070′s, the airline industry has been very volatile.  The oft repeated joke is that the way to make a small fortune in the airline industry is to start with a large one!

 At its 2005 Retreat, the Chamber Board made supporting Pangborn Airport a Chamber economic development priority.  That commitment has not wavered in the last 6 years.  Good air service continues to be important to existing businesses and residents and recruiting new businesses to our Valley.  Important projects are underway at the airport which you will hear more about in the months and years ahead. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/business/flight-cutbacks-hit-midsize-airports-hardest.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=2&adxnnlx=1310227299-J9Jkw9YzvhYAD9i9sfHLKQ

Enplanements at Pangborn Memorial Airport showed a 10% increase for January 2011 versus January 2010.  This is a positive sign for the local economy:  A growing economy generates more business travel and enhanced consumer confidence which also increases air traffic.

Another reason for the increase is lower fares.  In late December, Horizon/Alaska Air kicked of a new lower promotional  fare of $50 each way from Pangborn to Seattle.  While those promotions have expired, the Chamber booked flights to bring Dr. Arun Raha over for his April 21 State Economic OutlookForecast (sponsored by Libke Insurance Associates, Inc.)  this week and got that same rate.

Business people continue to tell me how great the flying option is.  It is a convenient and cost-effective way to get to a meeting in Seattle or beyond.  Thanks for the continued community support of local air service.  Flying may not always fit your plans, but it is a good option you should always consider.