Approaching L.A.-flight goal

Published 5:00 am Friday, March 15, 2013

Local business leaders should know by tonight if flights from Redmond to Los Angeles will become a reality or slip out of reach.

Economic development officials exceeded $301,000 Thursday afternoon in their effort to raise $350,000 in prepaid tickets and secure a daily flight from Redmond to Los Angeles through American Airlines. The fund drive stood at $253,000 late Wednesday.

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The deadline is 5 p.m. today to meet the goal, through what’s known as an airline travel bank. Smaller, or “nonhub” airports, can recruit new flights by selling tickets in advance to show an airline there’s adequate demand.

Redmond hasn’t had air service to Los Angeles since Horizon Air ended its flights in August 2010.

American Airlines is committed to starting service from Redmond Airport to Los Angeles International Airport in June, if area businesses show enough demand for the flight, according to Roger Lee, executive director of Economic Development for Central Oregon.

Lee said American Airlines is ready to guarantee at least two years of service.

A 50-seat commuter jet would depart Redmond each morning and return from L.A. in the evening. American Eagle, a regional division of American Airlines, would operate the flight.

“We are expecting this to come down to the wire,” Lee said Thursday.

Few details are known about the proposed flight.

Lee said American Airlines won’t make any specific announcements until it has received the prepaid ticket funds.

The unknowns include how much it will cost to fly the route, though Lee said he expects it to be in line with other regional airports.

Flights from Eugene to L.A. range from $250 for flights a month or more in advance, to $750 for next-day flights. Medford to L.A. flights range from $150 to $550.

It’s also possible that American Airlines could set up in Redmond even if the ticket-selling effort comes up a little short.

But meeting the $350,000 goal would make the service more certain, Lee said.

Prepaid tickets would be good for up to a year, regardless of whether American starts the service from Redmond.

“At the end of the day, this is our pitch to let (American Airlines) know there’s a lot of interest in that service here,” Lee said. “We’re just committed to trying to get across the goal line.”

To learn more

To buy tickets for the L.A. effort, or for questions, contact EDCO at 541-388-3236. Minimum pledge is $2,000.

To learn more

To buy tickets for the L.A. effort, or for questions, contact EDCO at 541-388-3236. Minimum pledge is $2,000.

For more information

To buy tickets for the L.A. effort, or for questions, contact EDCO at 541-388-3236. Minimum pledge is $2,000.

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