Destination San Francisco Bay Area Closer to Lift Off

Submitted by the Port of Chelan County and Pangborn Memorial Airport

Pangborn Memorial Airport is proud to announce it has been awarded a federal Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Grant of $750,000 to support its effort to land nonstop service to the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

The Department of Transportation awarded the grant to match the incredible community support for the new service. So far, more than 90 pledgers have committed more than $400,000 in matching funds. That local funding was a key reason the Department of Transportation joined the effort with its award.

“The broad based regional support for this new service was critical to securing this grant and bodes well for successful service to San Francisco, enhancing the economy and quality of life in central Washington,” stated Rory Turner, President of the Pangborn Memorial Airport Governing Board and the Port of Chelan County Commission.

Now the hard work begins – Trent Moyers, Director of Pangborn Memorial Airport

“This Grant award validates our effort, and strategy, in the recruitment of additional airline service for all of Central Washington,” said Trent Moyers, Director of Pangborn Memorial Airport. “Now the hard work begins, as we make the business case to prospective airlines, working to convince them Wenatchee is the best place for their limited aircraft.”

Pangborn received strong support from Federal elected officials including Senators Cantwell and Murray and Congressmen Reichert and Newhouse.

The Air Service Investment Program supported by this grant award is designed to share the financial risk of launching new service with the airline. The funding also demonstrates the region’s intent to use the new service.

An airline will invest about $8 million to start daily jet service over a two-year period. That risk is mitigated by the grant and the contributions from businesses, organizations and individuals in four counties in north central Washington, as well as from several companies in California.

For more information, please contact: Trent Moyers, Airport Director (509) 884-2494, ext. 6