REDMOND, OR -- The Redmond Airport is moving ahead with plans to expand commercial flight offerings. Redmond Mayor George Endicott tells KBND News, "We got a big grant, a $500,000 grant from the feds, to try and attract an airline to fly into Sky Harbor at Phoenix." Previous flights from Redmond to Arizona offered by Allegiant Air, landed in Mesa.
Endicott says officials are hopeful they'll hear soon whether a carrier will pick up that Phoenix flight and utilize the USDOT grant. There was talk of bringing on a direct flight to Boise, but a recent survey of area businesses failed to show strong enough support.
Mayor George Endicott says ideas for new destinations often come from community and tourist feedback. "People coming through, you talk to people, you hear things, and it isn’t always scientific. I don’t know the basis for the approach for going to Phoenix, but I do know the feds gave us a bunch of money to get that flight off the ground. And, that’s the way these work usually. The airlines, to entice them to do it, you have to guarantee an income stream." He hopes those flights will start by next year.
Roberts Field currently offers service to Portland, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and L.A.
To hear our full conversation with Redmond Mayor George Endicott, click HERE or visit our Podcast Page.
