Wyden Statement on the Increase of Direct Flights from Portland to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement after the Department of Transportation announced that Portland International Airport (PDX) will receive one new round trip direct flight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Expanded air travel access to the east coast will be an economic driver for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
“Greater access means greater economic opportunity for the region. Right now, the demand for flights from Oregon to Washington, D.C. far exceeds the current capacity and with these increased flights between the two destinations will come greater economic growth for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Oregon is fast becoming a technology industry hub and D.C. is the center for technology policy. Connecting these two regions with more direct flights will only serve to improve Oregon’s innovative tech industry while increasing opportunities for more and more residents of the east coast to take part in Oregon’s excellent recreation industry.”
Included in the Federal Aviation Administration bill passed earlier this year, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will receive authorization for additional long distance flights per day, with one new round trip between PDX and DCA. Full Service must be running by September 8, 2012. Wyden urged Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to include flights from Portland in the new slots.
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