The Transportation Security Administration told Klamath Falls officials Tuesday the agency will not return to Klamath Falls’ airport, but PenAir said the airline remains committed to finding a way to provide air service in the region.
“We support any plan that would allow a potential customer to fly out of Klamath Falls without incurring any unnecessary time delays or costs that would put us at a competitive disadvantage compared to flying out of Medford,” said Dave Hall, chief operating officer for PenAir, in a news release.
City officials said the decision is a serious setback to the city’s efforts to re-establish air service, after SkyWest left the area in June 2014.
“The city is deeply disappointed with the TSA’s decision,” said City Manager Nathan Cherpeski in a news release, “but we’re not giving up on finding a way to begin service to Portland.”
City officials and local business leaders had said on Monday they didn’t think a reverse screening system would work long term. Reverse screening means passengers would not to through a security check until they reached the Portland airport.
Now TSA is proposing a slightly different option, one that would involve an investment by the Port of Portland.
The option to create a reverse screening area at the Portland International Airport is under consideration. The system would allow passengers from airports without TSA screening services, such as the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport, to be screened on arrival at PDX and they would then travel directly into the main terminal.
Cherpeski said the city will likely hear back from the Port of Portland within 30 days if and how the port would be involved in that option.
“We are, as is the entire community, anxious for the return of air service to the airport,” said airport director John Barsalou, “but we’re also aware that for its long-term success it has to be competitive with service out of Medford. We are pursuing all options to re-establish air service and will keep the community informed of our progress.”
Delegation responds
Sens. Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, and Congressman Greg Walden released statements calling the decision by the TSA “disappointing,” and each committed to helping the Klamath Basin.
“If TSA’s proposed interim solution for screening in Portland proves to be a barrier in getting a carrier to provide air service to Klamath Falls in the short term, then other options must be explored,” Wyden said. “I am fully committed to exploring these options and I encourage all the parties to work together toward the common goal of returning badly needed air service to Klamath Falls as soon as possible.”
Walden shared Wyden’s sentiments.
“I will continue to work hard with the local community and PenAir to press the Administration to come up with a solution that keeps all travelers safe and secure and reinstates this important service to the local economy,” Walden said. “This is essential to ensuring that safe, reliable air service returns to Klamath Falls as soon as possible.”
Merkley, who has also been in discussions with the TSA regarding services in Klamath Falls, shared his perspective.
“The compromise proposed by TSA falls short of providing passengers with the convenience and security that would be provided by re-federalization and may hurt the chances of getting passenger air service to Klamath Falls,” Merkley said. “Having passenger air service is really important to the economic success of the region and we remain committed to helping get the airport back up and running.”
Klamath County’s regional tourism agency, Discover Klamath, also took issue with the TSA’s decision.
“We are very disappointed in the TSA’s decision today to not service the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport,” said Jim Chadderdon, executive director of the agency, in a post to Discover Klamath’s Facebook page Wednesday.“We strongly urge the TSA to reconsider this decision and establish consumer flight screening immediately. The concept of ‘Reverse Screening’ is neither practical nor efficient and is an unacceptable option.”
- Source: http://www.heraldandnews.com
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