Central Oregon's Airport: An Essential Travel Hub?

Central Oregon is served by a network of airports that connect the region to the rest of the state and beyond. While Portland International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Oregon, there are several other notable airports in Central Oregon, including Redmond Municipal Airport, also known as Roberts Field, which is situated in the middle of the region. This airport offers nonstop flights to several US hubs and seasonal flights to Dallas, serving around 1 million passengers per year. Other airports in the region include Sisters Eagle Air Airport, Silver Lake USFS Strip, and Santiam Junction State Airport.

Redmond Municipal Airport

Central Oregon does have an airport, Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) in Deschutes County, which is the main commercial airport in the region. The airport is owned and operated by the city of Redmond, Oregon, and is located in the heart of Central Oregon. Redmond Municipal Airport provides 30 daily flights, serviced by five air carriers: American Airlines, Alaska Air, Avelo Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.

The airport has a public area that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing arriving and departing passengers to wait in the public areas regardless of the hour. The airport also offers ground transportation options, with six full-service car rental agencies located in the terminal near the baggage claim area. In addition, private car, taxi, shuttle, and rideshare services are available 24/7.

The history of Redmond Municipal Airport dates back to the 1920s, with passenger flights arriving in 1940. During World War II, the airfield was used as a bomber base by the United States Army Air Forces. After the war, the federal government sold the airport to the city of Redmond for $1. The airport has since expanded multiple times, with a passenger terminal built in 1950 and replaced in 1981 by a larger terminal. The most recent expansion in 2009 resulted in a 600% increase in the facility's area, improving security, traveller services, concessions, and gate operations.

Oregon's busiest airport

Central Oregon does have an airport—in fact, it has several. Roberts Field/Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) is the busiest airport in the region, serving Redmond and Bend. In 2009, the airport handled almost 465,000 passengers. Flights depart from Redmond to Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.

Other airports in Central Oregon include:

• Roberts Field Airport
• Grant County Regional Airport (Ogilvie Field)
• Santiam Junction State Airport
• Silver Lake USFS Strip

While Portland International Airport (PDX) is the biggest and busiest airport in the state of Oregon, with about 13 million passengers passing through in 2009, Hillsboro Airport is the second busiest airport in the state.

Military airports in Oregon

Oregon has a network of 95 airports, ranging from small local airstrips to major commercial hubs. These airports are essential to the state's economic growth and quality of life. The state has four military airports serving its different cities:

McNary ARNG Field Heliport

This is a military heliport in Oregon.

Naval Air Station Tongue Point (closed)

This was a naval air station in Oregon, but it is now closed.

Umatilla Army Airfield (closed)

This was an army airfield in Umatilla County, Oregon, but it is now closed.

Portland International Airport (PDX)

Portland International Airport is a civil-military airport and the largest airport in Oregon. It is the only major airport for passengers in the state, serving 20 million passengers each year. The airport offers nonstop services to 66 domestic destinations and 11 international places. Alaska Airlines is the hub for Portland Airport.

Private-use airports

Central Oregon has a number of private-use airports. These airports are typically located in smaller towns and are meant for general aviation use.

Some of the private-use airports in Central Oregon include:

• Sunriver Airport (S21) - This airport serves the Sunriver resort community, offering walking and riding distances to dining, entertainment, and lodging options. Bicycles are also available at the airport for easy transportation around the town.
• McMinnville Municipal Airport (MMV) - McMinnville is home to an impressive air museum featuring interesting aircraft and spacecraft exhibits.
• Gold Beach Municipal Airport (4S1) - Gold Beach Municipal Airport is within walking distance to the town, offering great seafood, beachcombing, and mild winters.
• Hood River Airport (4S2) - Located in the scenic Columbia Gorge area, Hood River Airport features an outstanding airplane and automobile museum on the field.
• Bandon State Airport - Bandon, Oregon, is known for its world-class golf complex, Bandon Dunes, which has been compared to Pebble Beach for its complexity and breathtaking vistas.
• Newport Municipal Airport (KONP) - Newport Municipal Airport is situated on the central coast and offers multiple approaches and benign terrain. Rental cars are available at the FBO, but availability may be limited.

These private-use airports provide convenient access to various recreational activities, resorts, and local attractions in Central Oregon.

Central Oregon Airports

Central Oregon is served by Redmond Municipal Airport, also known as Roberts Field. This airport is located in the middle of Central Oregon and is the fourth-largest airport in the state. Redmond Municipal Airport serves 30 daily flights operated by five airlines: Avelo Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport offers nonstop flights to several hubs in the United States, as well as seasonal flights to Dallas Airport. In addition to passenger flights, Redmond Municipal Airport also provides cargo services.

Other notable airports in Oregon include Portland International Airport (PDX), the largest and busiest airport in the state, which handles 20 million passengers each year; Eugene Airport (EUG), located 11km northwest of Eugene and serving 1 million passengers annually; and Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR), a regional hub located 3 miles north of downtown Medford, serving 1 million passengers annually.

Oregon has a network of 95 airports, ranging from small local airstrips to major commercial hubs. These airports are essential to the state's economic growth and quality of life, facilitating trade, tourism, and commerce. The state offers a variety of airport types, including commercial, general aviation, reliever, and military airports, connecting Oregon to other West Coast cities in the United States.

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