PORT ANGELES — The North Olympic Peninsula’s future passenger connection to major airlines might be in Portland, Ore., instead of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a consultant said Monday.
William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles could feasibly be served by an airline flying 19-30 seat aircraft three to four times daily to major airline connections through Portland International Airport.
That’s the conclusion of a passenger demand study conducted by consultant Mead & Hunt and presented separately Monday to the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Port of Port Angeles commissioners.
“This is a good market for the right-size aircraft,” said Mike Boggs of Eugene, Ore., who is manager of airport business services for Mead & Hunt.
Ticket sales analyzed
Boggs said an analysis of 5,747 airline tickets purchased in Clallam County between October 2002 and September 2003 showed 35 percent of Clallam County passengers using Sea-Tac flew out of Fairchild.
The rest drove up to three hours to Sea-Tac or used alternative ground transportation.