Newport Airport Efforts Paying off with Increasing Visits from Jet Set Crowd
A twin engine Hawker 800 jet sits on the tarmac at the Newport airport Monday afternoon. Airport staff say a concerted effort to provide catering, rental cars and other amenities along with old fashioned service is attracting an increasing number of corporate and charter jets bringing passengers from as far as Texas to the central Oregon coast. (Photo by Larry Coonrod)
By Larry Coonrod Of the News-Times
NEWPORT--How do you escape the scorching heat of Texas, the Midwest or southern California? Well, if you are of a certain economic class, you fly your jet to the cool, cloudy central Oregon coast.
At one point last week, a mix of eight corporate, personal and charter jets sat on the Newport Municipal Airport tarmac as their crews and passengers enjoyed dining, sightseeing and fishing.
"In the last week I've had aircraft from Houston, Burbank, Van Nuys, Boise and Portland, said Terry Durham, the airport's fixed base operations (FBO) manager. "The number one thing we've heard from people coming from all over is they were just tired of the oppressive heat. Believe it or not there are people who enjoy cool foggy weather in the summertime."
Durham, a former Learjet pilot, said it's not by accident that an increasing number of jets make Newport a destination. Airport staff have arranged with Toby Murry Motors to keep five new Toyota Prius rental cars on hand, set up catering services with local businesses and ratcheted up customer service.
"We don't wait for people to come into the airport; we guide aircraft into position and greet the pilots and passengers at the stairs of their aircraft. In a pilot's eyes it shows a willingness to offer service," Durham said. "When the aircraft shuts off its engine, we deliver the rental car right to the stairs of the aircraft. It seems to be working; we've noticed a real increase in corporate jet aircraft into the Newport airport in recent months."
Durham recounted a recent visit by the owner of a large southern California construction company who, having heard good things about Newport through other pilots, decided to fly his family here in their private jet for an extended weekend. Afterward, he sent Durham a letter detailing the visit.
"He spent $1,200 on hotel, meals, entertainment, fishing and rental car," Durham said. "These type of people have the capability of going anywhere and they are choosing Newport."
The Federal Aviation Administration maintains a state of the art instrument landing system at Newport that allows pilots with special instrument flight rules (IFR) training to land in low visibility conditions. The next closest airports with similar capability are in North Bend and Astoria, giving Newport an advantage in attracting jet set visitors to the central coast.
"IFR conditions are typically when we get these large corporate jets," Durham said.
An airport's FBO is often the first point of contact for pilots considering visiting an area. They'll call for recommendations about where to stay and things to do. That says Durham, gives airport staff an excellent opportunity to promote Newport and the surrounding area.
"We've been telling folks you don't have to go to Alaska. We have excellent halibut fishing right here. You don't have to fly to Mexico to go tuna fishing. We have some of the best tuna fishing right here on the Oregon coast," Durham said. "I think it is something that has not been exploited at this airport to make it a recreational destination."
Durham said he hopes to work more closely with the Newport Chamber of Commerce and others to help airport staff better promote the area.
Newport sees a fair number of corporate aircraft on company business as well. FedEx and UPS fly in and out daily. In recent weeks, Kroger and UHaul representative have landed at the airport. And while the passengers might be well-heeled, the pilots and crew pay for their entertainment on their own dime during layovers. Durham said the Prius' $39.95 unlimited mileage rental rate proved a big hit with pilots.
"They are getting out touring the area and when they get all done they put $5 work of gas into it," Durham said.
Another plus for the FBO with corporate jets is fuel sales, with the average jet taking on 1,000 gallons at $4.90 a gallon. On the business front, the airport has rented out all of its hangar spaces and has a waiting list of small aircraft owners. Next year, the FAA plans to fund a $6.7 million renovation of Runway 16-34 that will resurface the strip and vastly improve the 1940s area drainage system.
"We've got a really nice airport we've worked our butts off to build up," Durham said. "I use to fly Learjets for an ambulance company and I've flown into airports all the U.S. the Caribbean, Mexico and I think the service we offer out of Newport is on par with any place I've ever been."
Contact Assistant Editor Larry Coonrod at 541-265-8571 ext. 211 or email larry@newportnewstimes .com.
