Federal grant to help RDM attract So. Calif. flights

Redmond’s Roberts Field Municipal Airport announced Wednesday it has received a $500,000 U.S. Department of Transportation matching grant to recruit non-stop air carrier service from Redmond to Southern California.

“We are pleased to have been selected as the recipient of the DOT grant,” said Airport Director Kim Dickie. “The next 12 months will bring a focused effort to build industry support for the new service, while soliciting the needed $300,000 from non-airport sources.

“My team looks forward to working closely with the Central Oregon business community and civic leaders to bring expanded air service options to the region,” she added.

In 2003, Redmond was awarded a similar grant, which successfully supported the creation of nonstop air service to Salt Lake City, a service that continues to thrive today.

It is the airport’s goal to acquire non-stop Southern California service and will utilize the DOT grant to strategically target major air carriers like American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and Horizon Airlines.

Without non-stop service, Central Oregon travelers destined for Southern California are forced to connect or drive over mountainous roads to alternate airports, creating significantly longer travel times and higher travel costs.

For more information about Redmond Municipal Airport, please contact Kim Dickie, Airport Director at 541-504-3496 or visit www.flyrdm.com.