July Chamber Roundtable + Tour Attendees Get Firsthand Look at EUG Airport Expansion
On July 20th, business owners and community leaders got together at Eugene Airport for an update on the airport’s terminal expansion project, as well as behind-the-scenes tour of the expansion in progress. This event was organized by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce – part of their quarterly Chamber Roundtable + Tour program, which is new in 2023.
The afternoon opened on the mezzanine conference room of the terminal with a presentation by Andrew Martz, Assistant Airport Director, which laid out the airport’s terminal expansion project plans – including overall vision, funding, and projects scheduled to take place prior to the expansion. There was also a presentation by Odette Oppe, the airport’s Financial Compliance Officer, reviewing the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), which works to eliminate racial, ethnic, and national original discrimination from the competition for federally funded transportation contracts.
Martz related the addition of Southwest Airlines and Avelo Airlines to a growing fleet into and out of EUG that now includes seven airlines and 14 nonstop routes; and how a 31% increase in passengers between 2019 and 2022 has paved the way for a terminal expansion. With a 20-year planning horizon, the development plan aims to meet current challenges without sacrificing future needs, as well as foster sustainable development. Some of the expected specific modifications include:
- Ticketing and Airline Ticket Offices (ATO) expansion
- Outbound baggage (screening and make-up) reconfiguration and expansion
- Baggage claim expansion
- Support area modifications (security screening checkpoint and vertical circulation core)
- Airport administration (proposed new space)
- Concourse A expansion/modifications
- Proposed new Concourse C
- Proposed new charter terminal
Martz also went on to discuss partnerships like the Gallery at the Airport program, which works with Maude Kerns Art Center, Emerald Art Center, and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art to bring local, original artworks to the terminal, beautifying its hallways and waiting areas while supporting arts in the area; as well as F.E.T.C.H (Friends Eager to Come Help), a volunteer program that brings therapy dogs to the airport to calm anxious passengers, soothe those that have lost loved ones, and generally spread warmth and joy to travelers.
Immediately following the presentation, participants boarded a bus generously donated by Lane Transit District for a behind-the-scenes tour of the terminal expansion. Attendees got a firsthand look at some of the construction and development just underway at the airport, with Martz explaining the finer points of the upgrades and outlining current progress and future timelines.
After the tour, the bus arrived at a special hangar where Joshua Rickert, Lane Community College Aviation Academy Director, treated attendees to an up-close-and-personal look at some of the flying machines that are part of the aviation history of the Eugene Airport, including decommissioned helicopters, private jets, and even some idle engines and parts used for LCC aviation studies.
On August 29th, EUG airport will host Airport Rental Car and Concessionaire Supplier Diversity Outreach Day, where you can find out about contracting opportunities with car rental and other airport concessionaires. The airport will provide information on how Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certifications can benefit your small business. You do not have to be a certified business to attend.
About Chamber Roundtable
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a monthly Chamber Roundtable Series that will foster interactive discussions on legislation and policy, community and economic development, and workforce and talent. Quarterly, these Roundtables will be coupled with an on-location business tour exploring some of the many unique industry leaders throughout the Springfield area.
