Newport and Astoria Airports Close to Getting Commuter Air Service

Officials hope to gather lots of community, federal, and statewide support for airline service returning to the Oregon Coast.

(Newport) - Newport is close to getting commuter air service once again.

Dennis Reno, Newport's airport supervisor, says Hyannis, Massachusetts based Cape Air has expressed interest in providing daily scheduled flights between the Newport and Astoria airports and Portland International Airport.

Reno says they hope to secure a Connect Oregon grant of about 3 million dollars that would provide revenue guarantees for the first couple of years.

Airport Planning Consultant Charles Riordan is helping both Newport and Astoria put together that grant application, which will be submitted by Friday.

Harbor Air discontinued commuter air service in Newport in late 2000.

If they get the grant, or find another source of funding, Reno says Cape Air officials said they would like to start service in November.

Cape Air currently provides commuter air service in New England, south Florida, the Caribbean and Micronesia.

Cape Air operates a fleet of over 50 Cessna 402's and 3 ATR 42`s.

Last year Cape Air carried 560,000 passengers, making us the largest independent regional airline in the United States.

Connect Oregon is an initiative enacted by the 2005 Oregon Legislature to invest $100 million of lottery-backed bond proceeds in transportation projects. No highway projects will be funded. Instead, it will be used for aviation, marine and rail.