‘It’s all for safety reasons’: Redmond Airport, travelers emerge from week of costly closures, delays due to weather

Airport Director says storm likely to cost airport $100,000

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  The snow, ice and especially the freezing rain this past week have caused two runway closures at the Redmond Airport, just one of many challenges facing air travelers across the storm hit-region. But things got better Sunday, to everyone's relief.

NewsChannel 21 spoke with Airport Director Zachary Bass and paid a visit to the terminal Sunday to look at the costly impacts of the storms.

 The Redmond Airport experienced another bout of freezing rain Saturday afternoon, causing the airport to close to commercial and general-aviation traffic. 

"This storm will probably cost the airport about $100,000," Bass said. "We've been kind of throwing in to keep it open. Again, freezing rain is the worst that could possibly happen. And that's what happened." 

According to Bass, the runway reopened to commercial traffic at 8:30 a.m. after freezing rain relented and temperatures warmed up. General aviation traffic was still on hold awhile longer. 

For many people, for much of the year, flying in or out of Redmond is a quick and easy trip --  but then there are times like this, full of frustrating delays or even cancellations.

Bend resident Dusty Garrison said, "The flight was supposed to leave at six this morning and got delayed until 11:20, and we got on board the plane. Once we were on board they deplaned us for a mechanical issue, and then we sat there for 20 minutes -- and then they canceled the flight completely."

The airport typically experiences one relatively short closure each year for weather elements such as fog, freezing fog or freezing rain. It experienced two lengthy closures in less than a week.

Macie Remular came to visit Bend from Honolulu.

"Our flight actually got delayed from Friday morning, so we did stay an extra two days," she said. "The experience -- it was a little stressful, but it wasn't too bad. Talking to the agents, especially on the phone, they definitely helped us out a lot."

When the runway is closed for any landings or takeoffs, it can affect about 40 to 50 flights a day. 

To help clear the runway, airport staff use de-icing equipment, along with blowers and brooms. On average, airport staff can clear an inch of snow off the runway within 15 minutes. 

Bass said, "We realize it's frustrating. It's frustrating for us and our team. And this is what we do and, just be aware that if the airport is closed, or if the runways are closed because of, let's say ice in this case, it's all for safety reasons." 

  To check for flight updates at Redmond Airport, you can use flight tracking websites and apps like Flight Aware or Flight Radar 24. Airlines often provide real-time updates on their websites or through their customer service channels.