19 Apr 2024

(North Bend, OR) – Coos County Airport Commissioners have agreed to expand an agreement for airline consulting services to look at the possibility of smaller airline shuttles to provide additional services to Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) customers. The contract with Volaire Aviation Consulting has been in place for multiple years. At the March Board meeting, Executive Director Rodger Craddock recommended adjusting the contract.

The consulting firm has provided the airport with important information about what is taking place in the industry, challenges the industry has faced since the pandemic, the ability to add additional routes, and how other airports have fared in the region. The scope of work included having conversations with airlines providing service to regional airports such as United and Alaska Airlines.

A partnership with Bandon Dunes Golf Resort resulted in a Denver route in 2015. Since then, the challenges airlines have faced have led to little or no movement toward adding northbound options at OTH. The expanded scope will allow hourly compensation for the consultant to evaluate a northern shuttle-like air service and ensure its viability. It will also pay incentives for procuring new routes.