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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 19, 2007 Medford airport has record year 2006 ends with a total of 597,965 passengers after a December surge, topping 2005's tally by more than 3,000 By GREG STILES Mail Tribune A record December pushed passenger levels to a new high at the Medford airport in 2006. After trailing 2005's string of records for much of last year, the airport reeled off four straight new highs beginning in September, topping 50,000 passengers in November and December for the first time. Although the airport failed to match the 60,000-plus passenger months of July and August 2005, the 2006 total hit 597,965, topping the previous year's record of 594,682 air travelers. "We are an anomaly," said Airport Director Bern Case. "Nationwide, most small airports are still having a hard time coming back from 9/11 and are still down in numbers. They've had to make the adjustments because the larger airports grabbed away the aircraft. We struggled for a while, but now we're back up." Case said Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls was off from its 2005 passenger counts, while Mahlon Sweet Airport in Eugene was slightly up. With the exception of US Airways, formally known as America West, the four airlines serving Medford all topped previous years, prompting Case to predict bigger numbers in 2007. He projects that by mid-year, local air travel will crest the 600,000 mark for a rolling 12-month period for the first time. Advertisement "I think we can keep doing well," he said. "I don't think we'll see double-digit growth, but we'll have consistent 2 or 3 percent growth. If we don't have 600,000 during a 12-month period in the next few months, we'll see it by year's end." Micki Summerhays, owner of Carrousel Travel in White City, sees a continued uptick in flying out of Medford. Whereas it once made sense to fly out of Portland for many destinations because of the reduced ticket rates, Summerhays said local travelers can get better fares in some cases out of Medford now. "Medford to Hawaii is less than Portland to Hawaii, if you are flying on United and if you are doing it through a tour company," she said. "We don't book as many people out of Portland as we used to in general, because the price differential just isn't there any more for many destinations. With the price of auto fuel, it's not worth driving up there any more." Summerhays said the expanding business sector, coupled with a growing retirement community that has money to spend on travel, will continue to boost airport numbers. "I think there's just going to be a steady increase," she said. Parking lot and entrance changes are due for completion within 30 to 60 days, Case said. Terminal construction goes to bid in May and closes in June. A contractor is expected to be named in July. "We will have some construction challenges, but nothing like phase one," Case said. The airport currently has 30 scheduled departures daily. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help