Salem to Expand Air Terminal in Hopes of Luring Major Air Carrier

McNary Field has been without regularly scheduled air service since Horizon left the Capitol city in 1993.

The Salem Airport is ofter referred to as "McNary Field" Photo by: Kevin Hays

(SALEM) - The City of Salem will spend nearly half-a-million dollars to expand it's air terminal building in hopes that a major airline will return to McNary Field.

Airport Administrator Alan Alexander says the expansion will provide them with additional space to provide F-A-A required security screening, baggage claim, and ticketing areas.

Alexander says the city has been in talks with Atlanta based Delta Airlines and Las Vegas based Allegiant Air. The city has also sent information on the city’s airport expansion plans to United Express.

The Salem City Council gave initial approval in October 2005 to the terminal expansion. On July 31st, the City Council approved spending approximately $500,000 for construction and placement of a modular structure and associated airport terminal improvements.

The $500,000 expansion will be paid for using money from a reserve fund which the city has developed using all franchise fees received from Qwest.

In addition to the terminal expansion, the city will also need to secure Transportation Security Administration staff and funding.

An "airline travel bank" is also a requirement for obtaining commercial air service.

This is a fund into which local businesses will pay to ensure a steady source of income for the new air route.

The Salem Chamber of Commerce has committed to producing this travel bank, and has already sponsored a number of air service focus group meetings with local businesses who have already contributed dollars or made pledges to this "airline travel bank".

Alexander says another major hurdle will be to expand runway 31 by an additional 1000 feet for commercial jets, such as MD-80 series aircraft that Allegiant Air uses.

They need more runway in the summertime, jet engines don’t perform as well in the heat as the do in the colder winter months. Realistically they could land here now, however safety is our top priority Alexander said.

Boeing 737 series aircraft, which Delta, and other major airlines use, can land at the airport currently with no runway takeoff and landing safety issue.

The expansion, doesn’t mean the city will land an airline.

Delta has expressed interest in providing twice-daily flights to Salt Lake City or daily service to Los Angeles.

Allegiant Air has expressed interest in providing daily flights to Las Vegas.

Allegiant Air was founded in 1997 and serves over 40 cities from coast-to-coast.

Alexander said the privately held company is one of the fastest growing low cost carriers in the U.S.

The airline serves such west coast cities as Pasco, Washington; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Missoula, Montana; Stockton, California; Fresno, California; and Bellingham, Washington.

The airport terminal expansion should be complete within the next 5-7 months.