Salem, OR – Salem’s city councilors have voiced their support for the closure of the second runway at the Salem Municipal Airport. The decision follows a growing concern over the high costs associated with maintaining the runway, which has become a significant financial burden on the city.
During recent discussions, council members emphasized that the substantial investment required to repair and upgrade the second runway is not feasible given the city’s current budget constraints. The decision to close it, they argue, would be a more cost-effective solution, allowing the city to redirect resources to other urgent needs.
City officials have stated that the secondary runway, which has seen limited use in recent years, is expensive to maintain and does not provide enough of a return on investment. As a result, the closure could help save the city millions of dollars that would otherwise be spent on repairs.
However, the closure raises questions about the future of the airport’s operations. While city officials claim that it will streamline operations and reduce costs, the closure of the second runway may impact the airport’s capacity, limiting its ability to handle certain types of aircraft. This, in turn, could affect future plans for commercial air service, which have been a focal point of recent discussions.
In November, the City Council was briefed on potential investments in the airport’s infrastructure to support the expansion of commercial airline services. These plans, however, may now be complicated by the runway closure, with some residents and businesses raising concerns about how it will affect the airport’s ability to attract and retain airline carriers.
Despite these concerns, the closure is seen as a necessary step in securing the airport’s financial sustainability. The City Council is expected to continue deliberating on the issue in upcoming meetings, as city officials weigh the long-term benefits and potential trade-offs of the runway’s closure.
As the debate unfolds, city leaders remain committed to finding a balance between preserving the airport’s role in the community and managing its resources in a responsible manner.
