Redmond Airport gets busier as pandemic eases, spring break travelers arrive, depart

(Update: Adding video and comments from Fred Lelacheur, Katie Hughes and Mitch Gerich)

Fliers urged to arrive 2 hours early; masks still required, parking limited

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As spring break arrives, the pandemic eases and travel numbers rise, Redmond Municipal Airport officials say they are experiencing "a high volume of passenger activity" and encourage travelers to arrive two hours before their flights are due to depart. 

Fred Lelacheur, the airport's engineer and constructing manager, said Friday, "It appears from just the passenger traffic in the terminal that we are getting more back to our pre-Covid numbers."

Lelacheur says since the numbers have come back, there are security lines in the morning again.

TSA screening begins at 3:45 a.m. daily. To view the latest TSA updates, visit: https://www.tsa.gov/. Ticket counters open up at 3:30 a.m.

Many people are visiting families and friends, getting together pretty much just like old times.

Katie Hughes, a traveler from Texas, said she's visiting her niece for the first time.

"I feel like it's more relaxed now that more states are allowing people to kind of do masks optional," she said. "Obviously, in the airport they're still required. But I have a feeling that people are more calm about the whole thing because, you know, Oregon itself just allowed masks optional, at least where I was. So yeah, I think it feels more hopeful."

I also spoke to a traveler, Mitch Gerich, visiting from Michigan who said he's visiting a friend. I asked him how he felt about still having to wear a mask at the airport.

"I feel fairly comfortable," he said. "I am vaccinated and boosted. And I am comfortable either way- I have no problem putting on a mask. Overall, I feel relatively comfortable right now. I know Covid is still a thing, but I have taken all the precautions I can, and will continue to do, so I can get back to doing things I enjoy."

Here's the rest of RDM's Thursday advisory to travelers about things to be aware of.

Despite the state mask mandate being lifted in Oregon, the federal requirement remains in place at RDM. Travel operators require all persons to wear masks that cover both the mouth and nose, when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel. All travelers must also wear a mask when entering,  or on the premises of a transportation hub (Airport).

More information about this order can be found at: Requirement for Face Masks on Public Transportation Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs | CDC.

In the last two years the airport has expanded their passenger parking lots, making it a little more convenient for flyers. The airport has enough parking, but spots are still limited.

Parking availability might also be more limited during this time.  RDM encourages travelers to access the Airport website, which includes parking lot webcams, parking availability alerts and other important information  Parking rates at all RDM parking lots are based on time of entry (not entry date) and run on a 24-hour period.

• $1.00 for the first 30 minutes and $2.00 for 31-60 minutes

• $2.00 for each additional hour (and any part thereof)

• $15.00 per day Maximum (over a 24-hour period)

Payments can be made with cash, debit card or Visa and MasterCard - checks are not accepted. A credit card only lot is now available for use and is located just West of the Terminal building prior to the entrance to the main parking lot.

Please remember the curb at the front of the Airport Terminal is for active loading and unloading only. The Cell Phone Waiting area is located across the street from the airport along SW Salmon Avenue. Unauthorized waiting and/or parking violations are subject to a $50 citation.  Airport, air carrier and flight information can be found online at www.flyrdm.com.

The Redmond Municipal Airport (Roberts Field - RDM) is the aviation gateway to Central Oregon. Owned and operated by the City of Redmond, the airport offers a full range of general and commercial aviation services. RDM is served by seven air carriers; Alaska Air, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, AHA, Avelo, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines with 28 daily direct flights to Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Reno, Burbank, and Seattle.  For more information, please visit us online at www.flyrdm.com.