FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Council Votes to Leverage the Growing Popularity of the Region as a Top U.S. Destination
Salem, OR – The Salem City Council, with encouragement from Travel Salem, the Salem Chamber of Commerce and Fly Salem (the community advocacy group promoting aviation in the Willamette Valley), voted to re-name the Salem Municipal Airport as “Salem-Willamette Valley Airport” in June. The airfield will continue to be known locally as McNary Field.
According to Salem Airport Manager John Paskell, the airport’s new name will appear incrementally as new signage is needed but is already being used by Airport staff and is authorized to be used for marketing purposes. The Salem-Willamette Valley Airport will continue to have an FAA designation of SLE.
“The geographic designation ‘Willamette Valley’ is among the most recognized and highest regarded wine regions in the world. With culinary travel becoming a main economic driver for wine regions like Tuscany and Napa Valley, it is imperative we utilize our strongest regional brand name – Willamette Valley – in our airport’s name,” writes Jim Bernau, Founder/CEO of Willamette Valley Vineyards.
Salem City Council, led by Mayor Chris Hoy, has been very supportive of the vital role the City-owned airport provides to the community over the last 2 years, including authorizing investment in the aging terminal building to accommodate new TSA equipment. Ward 7 Councilor Vanessa Nordyke reports “Our airport unlocks access to the entire Willamette Valley—so it’s fitting to have Willamette Valley recognized in this way. The Willamette Valley offers [a plethora] of riches for travelers of all ages and interests…we are your gateway to Oregon’s capital city and so much more.”
“With the current and future airline service, we hope to attract more visitors to the Salem area as the heart of the Willamette Valley with its world-famous wine industry and outstanding outdoor recreation activities. Hopefully we get to a point that we have additional airlines and flights in Salem that attract more domestic and international tourists flying directly into Salem,” said Tim Hay of the Fly Salem Foundation.
Also weighing in on the airport name change was Mark Bjornson of Bjornson Winery, stating “The Willamette Valley is a world-famous wine region. Including Willamette Valley in our airport name will not only better represent the broader region, but will increase tourism, enhance our economy, and create jobs.” “The Avelo flights have already created new jobs, and the future is full of potential to bring more investment, more visitors, and more jobs for the Salem Area. “In addition, it is a great quality of life improvement for the area’s travelers,” adds Tom Hoffert, CEO of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.
Commercial Flights Returned Successfully
Commercial flights operated by Avelo Airlines returned to Salem-Willamette Valley Airport in October of 2023. What started as 4 flights per week to Hollywood-Burbank (BUR), serving the Los Angeles market and to Las Vegas (LAS) has already grown to 7 flights per week throughout the summer. Although expected to be scaled back after the high-travel summer months, Burbank flights have been extremely popular, and the Las Vegas flights are doing well. “Our first priority for additional destinations is to get flights to the Phoenix area, as regional travelers top four destinations are LA, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and the SF Bay Area,” added Brent DeHart of Fly Salem.
For more information on Salem-Willamette Valley Airport and commercial air service, visit:
https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/transportation-getting-around/salem-municipal-airport or www.aveloair.com.
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