Portland flights draw early passengers as port eyes more service at Pangborn

WENATCHEE — The first passenger numbers for Pangborn Memorial Airport’s new Portland route are giving regional port officials encouragement as they look toward a larger goal: enough local air service to bring more North Central Washington travelers through their hometown airport.

Outbound flights averaged just over 73% full during the first 11 days of service, while inbound flights averaged about 66%, Airport Director Trent Moyers told Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority commissioners Oct. 13.

One outbound flight carried 65 passengers, filling approximately 85% of the aircraft’s 76 seats.

“But just these first 11 days, like I said, I’m impressed,” Moyers said.

The daily Alaska Airlines connection, operated by Horizon Air, began Oct. 3. It adds Portland as a second connecting airport alongside Seattle, giving residents another option when planning trips from Pangborn.

Port CEO Jim Kuntz placed the new route in the context of a much larger potential market. He told commissioners the port’s air service consultant has estimated the region needs seven flights a day.

That remains a longer-term ambition rather than an announced service expansion. But the discussion underscored the role local passengers could play in demonstrating demand for additional flights.

For now, officials are watching whether the Portland connection attracts additional travelers to Pangborn and how it affects the existing Seattle service.

Commissioner Jim Huffman asked about that relationship, saying he hoped the new route would not dilute Seattle ridership.

Kuntz described the two destinations as complementary, with different connections making each useful for different trips. Commissioners also discussed whether the additional schedule flexibility could encourage more travelers to begin their journeys locally.

Moyers said the second route has already provided another option for some passengers who missed their Portland departure and were able to rebook through Seattle.

The early passenger figures offer only an initial look at performance. Officials cautioned that new service takes time to develop and that winter is typically slower, but pointed nevertheless to those caveats as a reason for being pleased with the early numbers.

It is also too early to determine what the passenger numbers and ticket revenues will mean for reimbursements under the route’s revenue guarantee, Moyers said.

Still, Kuntz welcomed the opening results.

“We’re off to a terrific start,” he said.

As the route moves beyond its inaugural celebration, passenger demand will be an important measure of its performance. For residents who have wanted more choices at Pangborn, the Portland connection offers both another way to travel and an opportunity to demonstrate how much additional service the valley will use.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media