Eugene Airport: A Small But Mighty Aviation Hub

Eugene Airport, also known as Mahlon Sweet Field, is a small-hub airport located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Eugene, Oregon, in Lane County. It is the second-largest airport in Oregon and the fifth-largest in the Pacific Northwest. The airport covers an area of approximately 91 zip codes, serving a population of around 730,380 people. Eugene Airport offers nonstop flights to 15 destinations across the US, including Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, and Los Angeles. The airport is committed to providing quality air service, maintaining a safe and secure environment, and promoting sustainability.

Passenger numbers

Eugene Airport, also known as Mahlon Sweet Field, is the fifth-largest airport in the Pacific Northwest. It is the second-largest airport in Oregon and is owned and operated by the City of Eugene. The airport is located just 15 minutes from downtown Eugene and provides commercial air service to a six-county region in mid-Oregon.

In terms of passenger numbers, Eugene Airport generates a significant amount of traffic. The airport handles over 800,000 trips annually, serving as a gateway to and from several destinations across the United States. These destinations include major cities such as Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix-Mesa, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The airport has seen its fair share of challenges and recoveries. For instance, in 2023, Eugene Airport, along with Redmond, experienced a robust comeback from the pandemic, in contrast to the slower recovery seen at PDX in Portland. However, the airline industry as a whole faced challenges during its pandemic recovery, particularly in smaller metro airports like Portland, due to shortages of aircraft and pilots. This resulted in passenger volumes at Portland remaining 18% below their 2019 levels.

Despite these industry-wide challenges, Eugene Airport has demonstrated resilience and a positive outlook. The airport director, Zachary Bass, attributed the increase in passenger traffic at Redmond to the population growth and thriving tourism in Central Oregon. He noted that as the region grew, they were able to attract more destinations and larger aircraft, which contributed to an uptick in passenger numbers.

Looking forward, forecasts for Eugene Airport predict continued growth in passenger numbers, although it may be challenging to sustain the same magnitude of recovery seen in the initial post-pandemic years. To accommodate this growth, the airport is taking proactive steps, such as building five new pads to support aircraft overnight.

Cargo facilities

Eugene Airport, also known as Mahlon Sweet Field (EUG), is a small-hub airport located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Eugene, Oregon. It is the second-largest airport in Oregon and the fifth-largest in the Pacific Northwest. The airport provides commercial air service to a six-county region in mid-Oregon, encompassing 91 zip codes and a population of approximately 730,380.

Eugene Airport has an expanded air cargo facility and three fixed-base operators (FBOs) to handle general aviation. The airport provides facilities for commercial airlines, private aircraft, and various support services to ensure the smooth operation of air cargo in the region. The cargo facility at Eugene Airport offers efficient and convenient services for businesses and individuals looking to transport goods. It has a dedicated team of cargo handling professionals who ensure that cargo is securely stored, managed, and transported.

The cargo facility is equipped with modern technology and infrastructure to facilitate the efficient movement of goods. This includes specialised equipment for loading and unloading cargo, climate-controlled storage facilities for perishable goods, and advanced security systems to ensure the safety of the cargo. The cargo facility also has designated areas for different types of cargo, such as hazardous materials, live animals, and valuable items, each with its own specific handling and storage requirements.

In addition to its physical infrastructure, the cargo facility at Eugene Airport offers a range of services to meet the diverse needs of its customers. These include cargo tracking and monitoring, customs clearance assistance, and specialised handling for sensitive or delicate items. The cargo facility also provides cargo transportation options, such as ground transportation and air freight forwarding, to ensure that goods reach their destination efficiently and on time.

The cargo facility at Eugene Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating economic growth and trade in the region. It enables local businesses to expand their reach by providing efficient and reliable cargo services, connecting them to markets across the country and worldwide. The cargo facility also contributes to the airport's overall efficiency and functionality, making it a preferred choice for businesses and individuals alike.

Airlines

Eugene Airport (IATA: EUG, ICAO: KEUG, FAA LID: EUG), also known as Mahlon Sweet Field, is a public airport in Lane County, Oregon, United States. The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Eugene and is owned and operated by the City of Eugene. Several airlines operate from Eugene Airport, offering flights to various destinations within the United States.

United Airlines

United Airlines was the first airline to serve Eugene Airport, beginning in June 1944. The airline initially offered service to Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco with various stops along the way. Over time, United upsized to larger aircraft, including the Boeing 727 and 737 series, offering nonstop flights to Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland.

West Coast Airlines

West Coast Airlines began serving Eugene Airport in 1947, operating Douglas DC-3s. The airline later expanded its service with Piper Navajos, Fairchild F-27s, and Douglas DC-9-10s before merging with Bonanza Airlines and Pacific Air Lines to form Air West in 1968.

Horizon Air

Horizon Air acquired Air Oregon in 1981 and began serving Eugene Airport with flights to Portland, Seattle, and other destinations using Fairchild F-27s and Fairchild Swearingen Metroliners. Horizon Air has continued to serve the airport for over 35 years.

American Airlines

American Airlines began serving Eugene Airport in 1985, offering direct, one-stop service to Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago via Portland using McDonnell Douglas MD-80s and Boeing 727-200s.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines offers flights from Eugene Airport to various destinations, including Long Beach Municipal, Los Angeles International, Sky Harbor International, and Harry Reid International.

Other Airlines

Other airlines that have served or currently serve Eugene Airport include Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Century Airlines, Air Oregon, Cascade Airways, and Pacific Southwest Airlines. These airlines offer flights to destinations such as Burbank, Palm Springs, Oakland, Las Vegas, San Jose, Denver, Portland, Seattle, and more.

Location

Eugene Airport (IATA: EUG, ICAO: KEUG, FAA LID: EUG), also known as Mahlon Sweet Field, is located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Eugene, in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is the second-largest airport in the state of Oregon and the fifth-largest in the Pacific Northwest. The airport is situated along the I-5 corridor at roughly the mid-point of the state. It serves an area spanning 91 zip codes, with a population of about 730,380 people.

The airport is named after Mahlon Sweet (1886-1947), a Eugene car dealer and avid supporter of aviation. Sweet was instrumental in getting the now-defunct Eugene Air Park constructed in 1919, followed by the current airfield in 1943.

Eugene Airport is owned and operated by the City of Eugene. The terminal building features "A" gates on the upper level and "B" gates, ticketing, and baggage claim on the lower level. The airport has expanded its air cargo capabilities and has three fixed-base operators (FBOs) to manage general aviation. There is also a general aviation self-serve fuel station on the airfield.

The airport is served by six airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines. These airlines provide connections to various destinations, including Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Hollywood-Burbank, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Santa Ana, and Seattle.

Sustainability

Eugene Airport, also known as Mahlon Sweet Field, is a small-hub airport located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Eugene, Oregon. It is the second-largest airport in Oregon and the fifth-largest in the Pacific Northwest. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Eugene and serves an area with a population of approximately 730,380.

Eugene Airport is committed to sustainability efforts. As an airport, one of the main ways to improve sustainability is by reducing carbon emissions from aircraft. This can be achieved through the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft, optimizing flight routes to reduce fuel consumption, and promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuel.

Another way to improve sustainability is by reducing the energy consumption of airport buildings and ground operations. Eugene Airport can invest in energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, and implement energy-saving initiatives, such as automatic lighting and temperature controls. The airport can also explore the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, to power its operations.

Waste management is another important aspect of sustainability. Eugene Airport can implement recycling and composting programs, as well as encourage the use of reusable or recyclable materials by tenants and vendors. The airport can also reduce single-use plastic waste by providing water refill stations and encouraging passengers and employees to use reusable water bottles.

Water conservation is also a key component of sustainability. Eugene Airport can implement low-flow fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping to reduce water consumption. The airport can also treat and recycle wastewater for non-potable uses, such as landscape irrigation and aircraft washing.

Additionally, Eugene Airport can promote sustainable transportation options for employees and passengers. This includes providing electric vehicle charging stations, offering discounted public transportation passes, and encouraging carpooling and bicycle commuting. By improving access to sustainable transportation, the airport can reduce its overall carbon footprint.

Frequently asked questions