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SUNNY Temp: 55 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 20, 2002 Airport expects to land benefits of America West deal Despite spending $100,000 to bring airline to Medford, county officials say return will be worth it By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune America West Airlines has gotten the red-carpet treatment from Jackson County officials who wanted to secure eastbound service out of Medford. But wooing the Arizona-based airline came with a $100,000 price tag. It was a bill Jackson County commissioners on Wednesday happily agreed to pay. According to Airport Director Bern Case, the county last year offered up to $100,000 to any airline that would provide eastbound service out of Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. "We had three ideals, and America West Airlines was one of them," Case said. Under the county’s terms, airline officials could use the funds to pay for local marketing costs incurred during its first year of operation. Case said the deal is a one-time-only offer that won’t be repeated if America West agrees to sign on for additional years. No other special breaks, such as reduced landing fees, were offered, Case said. Under the agreement, the county will reimburse America West up to $100,000, but is under no obligation to continue if the agency terminates its service agreement within the first year. America West’s first flight to Phoenix is expected to depart from Medford on Oct. 1 at 11:30 a.m. "Everything’s right on schedule," Case said. A special ceremony is planned, and the public is invited to attend. America West’s flight schedule includes takeoff from Medford at 6 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., with return trips at 2:30 and 9:30 p.m. America West’s arrival marks the first time the Medford airport has worked with a second national carrier since Continental Airlines left in 1988. Alaska Airlines and its commuter airline, Horizon, the other major carriers out of Medford airport, fly primarily on the West Coast. America West operates out of hubs in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Columbus, Ohio. Case estimates the new airline will generate more than $50,000 in landing fees annually for the airport. America West has 88 destinations. On Oct. 27, it will provide service to Phoenix from Billings, Mont., Calgary, Alberta and Pittsburgh. On Dec. 1, America West will offer service from Washington’s Dulles International Airport. Security team starts to take shape A permanent security team is slowly but surely being built at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. Brian Gebhard was named Wednesday as airport security manager for the Jackson County Airport Authority. Gebhard served as a fire chief with Pro-Tech Fire Services Ltd. Inc. In 1999, he was named fire chief at the airport station and managed a seven-man crew. He also volunteered with Jackson County Fire District No. 3. Gebhard has 11 years of firefighting experience. His new position at the Medford airport was created following the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Gebhard will take up his new position at the beginning of October. In July, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta named William Hice as Medford’s federal security director. Hice, a criminology graduate from Southern Oregon State College, was in charge of security at 15 airports in Montana and Washington for 11 years. In his Medford job, he also will be responsible for security at the Klamath Falls airport. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S