October 7, 2008
- Coos Bay / North Bend, Oregon
New NB airport terminal opens amid concerns
By Azenith Smith
NORTH BEND - From lines at the check-in counter to baggage claim, the brand new terminal for the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport is up and running.
"Nice and new and landscaping is beautiful," says Barbara Lowe of Bandon. Her husband, Tom, adds, "You can still smell the glue that's holding the carpet down." After seeing a need for a bigger facility, five years later, the 40,000 square foot terminal now offers amenities like the Hangar Cafe, free wi-fi Internet access and exquisite views of the Bay. "There's so many people that have worked on this thing for so long and so hard," says Executive Director Gary LeTellier. "You get to the point where you think you can't go much and then you're there." The new terminal is the only access to outbound flights from the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport. While most people are excited about it, there's still an undercurrent of apprehension since northbound service is scheduled to end in October. "I don't know if it's going to cut back our ability to fly when we want to go," says Gayle Christiana of Coos Bay. "It's tough especially with the gas prices now as it is. You have to drive to Eugene, Medford or Portland. It's not good." And it's not just travelers that are unhappy with Horizon's decision to leave, but businesses like Hangar Cafe, who've just invested a lot of time and money. "Starting a second business involved with an airport is two fold," says Hangar Cafe Owner Terra Enstrom. "When now there's not going to be traffic." But, despite the discouraging news, local business leaders and airport officials say, they're optimistic that northbound service will be restored. "Certainly a significant number of our customers come here, using the Horizon service," says Bandon Dunes General Manager Hank Hickox. "However, we will find alternatives for them to get here." LeTellier says, "Just because an airline leaves, the passengers don't. This region has a tremendous amount of people who fly. We'll do everything we can to give them choices here locally." KCBY has just learned that airport officials, along with a small group of local business executives, will be meeting with the President of Horizon Airlines next Friday in Seattle to discuss their options. |
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