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Planes may fly from Medford to coast Daily flights could start at first of year By Dani Dodge Jackson County residents may soon be able to get to the coast in less time than it takes to bake a cake. On Wednesday, Jackson County commissioners expect to sign an agreement with Curry and Del Norte counties to work together to develop regular air service between Medford and Crescent City, Calif. "I don�t think we could lose," said Commissioner Jack Walker. "All we could do is benefit." The "resolution of understanding" will be discussed at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the courthouse auditorium. Officials envision a regular service that would bring people into Medford in the morning and take others back to the coast in the afternoon for under $100 round-trip. Flights could start as soon as the first of the year. One of the benefits to the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport would be increased fees to pay for airport projects. Every time someone flies from the airport, the airport will get $4.50. The Jack McNamara Fields, on the outskirts of Crescent City just inside the California border, also would collect fees. More important, coastal residents would have better access to what Southern Oregon has to offer, say coast officials. The three Curry County commissioners approved the resolution July 17. Curry County Commissioner Cheryl Thorp said regular service should increase tourism to the coast as well as allow residents there to more easily access medical services in Medford. The five Del Norte County supervisors approved the resolution Tuesday. People in the Crescent City area relate more closely to Medford than to Yreka, Calif., said Ben Angove, county administrative officer. "When we go shopping, or to the theater, we head for Medford, not Yreka," he said. "The thing that is daunting about that is the drive. It�s too nerve-wracking for some." Additionally, advocates say, service to Medford would be more convenient for coastal air passengers trying to make connections to others destinations. Angove said he hopes that a round-trip fare could be as low as $60, although cost will be based on how many people take advantage of the service. "If the cost were not too great, it would greatly outweigh the difficulties of driving," he said. Medford Airport Director Bern Case said the deal has been in the works since a delegation from Crescent City flew into the Medford airport late last summer. He envisions a 10- or 12-seat plane making a daily flight that would take about 25 minutes. Officials also hope that service can be extended to Salem during the legislative session, so that officials from Oregon�s south coast can get to the Capitol more easily and quickly. The Crescent City airport serves the south Oregon coast. The next big step in developing the air service is finding someone to provide the flights, Case said. Officials on both sides of the border say they will conduct feasibility studies. "We�ll put together an incentive package and put it out to bid for carriers (airlines) and charter operators," Case said. "And hopefully, we�ll have a positive outcomes." Charter services here and in Crescent City have expressed interest, officials said. "It�s good for our community and good for their little airport," said Case. " I think we�ve got a shot at it." Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA