Medford Airport remains closed 3
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--> --> Medford Airport remains closed By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings Officials at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport did not expect the flight ban to be lifted today, but there has been some activity as air tankers needed to help with wildland firefighting efforts have been allowed to operate, as well as emergency medical transportation flights. "Horizon had two (airplanes) on the ground here that were ferried out empty last night," airport marketing director Kim Stearns said. "But we are having no departing flights or arriving flights, and no new passengers will be booked." Stearns had no estimate of when regular air travel will resume at the airport. The terminal itself is open and airline agents are working for people who want to come in and refund tickets or rebook canceled flights, Stearns said. The airport remains under increased alert status at the direction of the Federal Aviation Administration. When flights are reinstated by the FAA, passengers need to be prepared to arrive at least 90 minutes to two hours early to compensate for a longer check-in process. "They will be cutting passengers off 30 minutes before departures, there will be no curbside drop-offs and no checking in from hotels," Stearns said. "People will need to be prepared to walk about 200 yards from their cars to the terminal." There will likely be other changes in the boarding process, but Stearns said all the changes have yet to be outlined. Airport officials are still advising passengers who are ticketed for departure to keep in contact with their airlines for information. The reservations phone number for United and United Express is 1-800 241-6522 and the number for Horizon Air is 1-800-547-9308. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing