US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced a federal investment of $600,000 for the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport to support expansion of service to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
The investment from the US Department of Transportation will be used to create a revenue guarantee and associated marketing plan to recruit, initiate and support new service between the local airport and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Amber Judd, Director of the Medford Airport, said they are excited to have been awarded a Small Community Air Service Development Grant to support the new service. She said the funding is an important step toward creating the connection. However, she said it's important to note that airlines are not bound to initiate service simply due to an airport receiving a grant award.
Judd said they are encouraged by American Airlines' interest and confident this funding underscores the strong demand and the community's support for a direct Medford to Dallas-Fort Worth connection. She said they are optimistic that the airlines will recognize the opportunity to enhance connectivity between the two regions.
According to Judd, the local airport is committed to working with its airline partners to make this route a reality.
Wyden and Merkley have both pushed for more resources for Oregon's airports. In September, they announced more than $6.4 million for the Rogue Valley Airport and $4 million for the Prineville Airport to extend their taxiways and reduce congestion.
