August 27, 2010 

An Integrated Program of Air Service Development via: 

An Enhanced Marketing and Advertising Campaign 

 In Support of Current Essential Air Service to/from San Francisco 

Sponsor: Del Norte County Regional Airport 

 Crescent City, California 

 James Bernard, Airport Director 

 Congressional Code: CA-001 

 Dun & Bradstreet Number: 619502628 

DEL NORTE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT 

CRESCENT CITY, CALIFORNIA

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program 

 

Docket: DOT-OST-2010-0124

Before the Office of the Secretary of Transportation 

US Department of Transportation

Crescent City

San Francisco
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page 

Summary Information 3 

Introduction 6 

Primary Objectives of Proposal 7 

Executive Summary 8 

Detailed Explanation of Proposal 13 

Current Air Service 16 

Air Service Deficiencies 20 

Extenuating Factors Affecting Air Service 23 

Availability of Alternate Airports 25 

Use of Local/Federal Funds 26 

Public/Private Partnerships 27 

Implementation Timeline 29 

Air Service Advisory Groups 30 

Local Air Service Development Efforts 31 

In-kind Services from the Community 32 

Performance Measures 33 

Legal Sponsor 34 

Financial Controls 35 

Return on Investment 36 

DOT Exit Strategy 37 

Airport Information 38 

Community Profile 39 

Comparison to Other Communities in Region 46 

Conclusions 52
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 3

SUMMARY INFORMATION 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Docket DOT-OST-2010-0124 

A. Applicant Information 

 Not a Consortium Community now receives EAS subsidy 

 Interstate Consortium Intrastate Consortium 

 Community previously received a Small Community Grant 

 If previous recipient, date of Grant: ________________________________ 

 expiration date of Grant: _______________________ 

B. Public/Private Partnership

Public: 

1. Del Norte County Airport/Jack McNamara Field 

2. City of Crescent City 

3. City of Brookings, Oregon 

4. Curry County, Oregon 

5. Del Norte County 

Private: 

 

1. Del Norte Chamber of Commerce 

2. Crescent City Chamber of Commerce 

3. Smith River Rancheria 

4. Elk Valley Rancheria 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 4

C. Project Proposal 

 Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route 

 Personnel Increased Frequency Low Fare Service 

 Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy 

 Surface Transportation Regional Service Other (Specify) 

 Revenue Guarantee Launch New Carrier 

 Start Up Cost Offset First Competitive Service 

 Study Secure Additional Carrier 

D. Existing Landing Aids at Airport

 Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument Approach 

 Localizer Other:

E. Project Cost 

1. Federal amount requested: $ 200,000 

2. State cash financial contribution: $ 0

3. Local cash financial contribution: $ 20,000

 3a. Airport cash funds: $ 0

 3b. Non-Airport cash funds: $ 20,000 

 3c. Total local cash funds: $ 20,000

4. TOTAL CASH FUNDING: $ 220,000

5. Local funds contributed from already existing

Programs of projects included in line 3c: $ 0

6. Local funds contributed from new commitments 

Or new resources included in line 3c: $ 20,000

7. Airport In-Kind contribution: $ Various

Description: Additional In-Kind Marketing

8. Other In-Kind contribution: $ Various

Description: Advertising and marketing match money

9. TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION: $ Undetermined

10. TOTAL PROJECT COST: $ 220,000
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 5

F. Enplanements at Airport

 2000: 14,910 

 2001: 11,600

 2002: 10,270

 2003: 10,940

2004: 11,930

2005: 11,185

2006: 13,975

2007: 16,860 

2008: 12,215

 2009: 10,740 

G. Is Application Subject to Review by State Under Executive Order 12372 Process?

 This application was made available to the State on ______. 

 Program is subject to review, but has not been selected by the State. 

 Program is not covered. 

H. Is Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt? 

 No 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 6

INTRODUCTION 

Under the newly awarded Del Norte County Regional Airport Essential Air Service (EAS) contract 

Crescent City’s long-running direct service to Sacramento will be eliminated. In its place 

SkyWest/United Express will operate a slightly expanded schedule to San Francisco. This service 

change reduces Crescent City flights by 22% and seats by 21%, while increasing the required 

subsidy for service by almost $600,000 per year. 

While the community generally supports the service change, as it increases service and 

connectivity at United’s San Francisco hub, the Airport will be hurt by the loss of seats and flights. 

Moreover, with the service pattern changes, it is essential that the Airport do everything it can to 

educate the public to encourage them to 

use the new service, and to ameliorate the 

effects of losing direct Sacramento service. 

While service patterns change, the Airport 

has seen its average airfare rise by 27%, as 

it increased by $36 each way, or $72 

roundtrip in the last year. Crescent City has 

the second highest average one way fare 

of all airports in northern California and 

southern Oregon. High airfares in Crescent City have the impact of convincing travelers that 

local air service is expensive and unattainable, which causes them to stop checking local flights 

at the Del Norte County Regional Airport before booking out of other, far away airports in the 

region. If the fare is too high to consider local service for a couple of trips in a row, local travelers 

become conditioned to check non-local airports first. 

A wide ranging marketing and advertising campaign would likely help to remedy this situation, 

and lead to increased local enplanements in Crescent City. The Airport believes a Grantsupported marketing and advertising campaign can have an immediate impact, with the new 

service pattern going into place. Now is the time for the campaign – it cannot wait – due to the 

fact the service changes are imminent. If the Airport cannot blanket the region with this 

message, it is likely the service changes will go unnoticed, and passengers will continue booking 

trips out of other airports in the region, increasing the per-passenger EAS subsidy in Crescent City. 

“With service pattern changes, it is 

essential that the Airport do everything 

it can to educate the public to 

encourage them to use the new 

service, and to ameliorate the effects 

of losing direct Sacramento service.” 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 7

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF PROPOSAL 

Objectives for Program: 

 Bolster performance of an Essential Air Service (EAS) route 

 Increase enplanements through increased awareness 

 Decrease leakage to other airports in the region through lower fares 

 Long term service improvements due to increased viability of local air service 

Means to Achieve Objectives: 

 Build a larger budget for marketing and advertising efforts 

 Target segments of the population in the region most likely to use local air service 

 Work with businesses to increase usage of current air service through increased 

awareness 

Course of Action to Support Means: 

 Develop targeted marketing and local advertising campaign for potential airport 

users 

 Ensure campaign saturates the market with the message that local air service is 

competitive with service offered at other airports in the region 

 Ensure campaign has funding to run for a significant period of time – at least 24 

consecutive months 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 8

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The Del Norte County Regional Airport in Crescent City, California is in the midst of its first major 

change in its service pattern in a decade. This fall, SkyWest/United Express – the only carrier 

serving the Airport and the region – will shift its service from two destinations to just one. At the 

same time the community will lose four departures per week and 110 weekly departing seats. 

Crescent City is served under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, as it is 369 miles from the 

nearest medium hub – Sacramento. The Department of Transportation awarded its latest 

Essential Air Service (EAS) contract for 14 frequencies per week to San Francisco, on SkyWest 

Embraer Brasilias, in May of 2010 at a subsidy rate of 

almost $1.8 per year. This contract eliminated 

Crescent City’s long-running one-stop service to 

Sacramento, the State capital. It also reduced 

Crescent City flights by 22%, and seats by 21%, while 

increasing the required subsidy for service by almost 

$600,000 per year. 

While the community generally supported the service 

change, as it increases service and connectivity at 

United’s San Francisco hub, the Airport will be hurt by the loss of seats and flights. Moreover, with 

the service pattern changes, it is essential that the Airport do everything it can to educate the 

public to encourage them to use the new service, and to ameliorate the effects of losing direct 

Sacramento service. 

Already, many of those who live within the Airport’s catchment area drive to other airports to 

access the national air transportation system due to cheaper fares, more available flights and 

the lack of awareness about the more convenient airport located in Crescent City. In effect, 

the lack of awareness of the local air service available at the Del Norte County Airport 

suppresses the number of travelers, and potential travelers, in the region, forcing many to fly 

from other competing airports, or to not travel at all. 

The Del Norte County Regional Airport must work harder address the challenge of awareness – 

and now is the best time as it is in the midst of a service change. The most effective way of 

accomplishing this task will be a wide-ranging marketing and advertising program, designed to 

“SkyWest/United Express... will shift 

its service from two destinations to 

just one. At the same time the 

community will lose four 

departures per week and 110 

weekly departing seats.” 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 9

increase regional knowledge about the service offered in Crescent City. The Airport believes 

this program will initially result in increased enplanements, with more of those who live in the 

immediate and extended catchment areas flying locally. Further, the Airport believes those 

increased enplanements will result in increased service, allowing fares to achieve parody with 

other airports in the region. 

The Del Norte County Regional 

Airport has the ability to draw 

from a large area due to its 

relative isolation – located on 

the west side of the Pacific 

Coast Range mountains and 

isolated from the population 

centers on the coast and in the 

central valley. The Airport’s 

catchment area extends north 

along the Pacific coast to Gold 

Beach, Oregon, east to Cave 

Junction, Oregon, and south to 

Orick, California. The population 

of the Airport’s extended 

catchment area is 77,100 – and 

increased by 1,830 people since 

2000, or 2.4% (see Figure 1). 

Although outside the State the Del Norte County Regional Airport is primarily designed to serve, 

the Oregon portions of the Crescent City extended catchment area are closely tied both 

economically and culturally with the California portions of the area. In fact, Curry County, 

Oregon committed more than $2,000 in local funding to promote the Airport and its current EAS 

service through a local air service grant. 

The Del Norte County Airport had its best passenger year in a decade in the year ended first 

quarter 2008 (see Figure 2). However, that was followed by a very difficult year ended first 

quarter 2009 and year ended first quarter 2010. The Airport saw 32,090 total passengers as of the 

year ended first quarter 2008, or 44 passengers per day each way (PDEW), but that number 

FIGURE 1: The Del Norte County Regional Airport’s

Primary Catchment Area
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 10

dropped to 21,800 total origin and destination passengers as of the year ended first quarter 

2010, or 30 passengers per day each way (PDEW). Overall, in the year ended first quarter 2010, 

Crescent City’s total passengers dropped to the lowest level since the year ended first quarter 

2006 – down 32% from the passenger peaks just two years before. 

This passenger drop illustrates the importance of awareness about local air service – especially in 

Essential Air Service (EAS) markets. When the message of the availability of local air service is not 

a constant one in these smaller markets, they tend to lose ground in capturing their local 

passengers. This means the EAS subsidy in a market like Crescent City is going to support the use 

of fewer passengers – increasing the per passenger subsidy significantly. 

From 2004 through the first part of 2010, the EAS program at Crescent City has been able to 

keep the number of available airline seats in the market stable it has been unable to do 

anything significant to increase the percentage of those seats being filled. Crescent City’s 

overall load factor, or percentage of airline seats filled by paying passengers, sat at just 39% as 

of the year ended April 30, 2010 – down from a high of 43% as of the year ended April 30, 2008 

24,020

21,390

30,560

32,090

23,550

21,800

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

$151

$157

$140

$134

$157

$148

FIGURE 2: O&D Passengers and Average One Way Fares at Crescent City

YE1Q05 – YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 11

(see Figure 3). At no point in the last decade has Crescent City been able to fill more than half 

of its available airline seats, in many years filling less than half of available seats. 

It’s not that the Crescent City market is too small to support airline service. In fact, on average, 

national airline markets generate 2.1 trips per resident of their extended catchment areas. 

Crescent City generated just 0.3 trips per resident as of the year ended April 30, 2010 – meaning 

it’s likely those who live in the Crescent City area drove to other airports to access the national 

air transportation system. 

This passenger “leakage” is common in markets with limited service because it’s difficult for small 

markets to compete on both flight frequency and airfare. The fare disparity in northern 

California and southern Oregon is becoming more pronounced. As of the year ended first 

quarter 2010, the average domestic one way fare at Crescent City was the second highest in 

the northern California and southern Oregon, at $170 (see Figure 4). 

60,450 60,015

57,090 57,720

60,660 61,110 59,229

23,028 25,044

22,342 23,160

26,069

23,336 23,318

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

Inbound/Outbound T-100 Seats and Pax

Seats On-Board Passengers

FIGURE 3: Available Seats and Onboard Passengers, Crescent City

Year Ended April 2004 – Year Ended April 2010; Source: US DOT T100 Data
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 12

Average fares at the Del Norte County Regional Airport are 10% higher than the Western region 

average domestic one way fare of $153 (see Figure 4). Moreover, Crescent City’s average one 

way domestic fare is $5 higher each way than the average fare at Medford, of $165 each way 

as of the year ended first quarter 2010. Local Crescent City fares are also higher, on average, 

than the fares found in other small 

markets in the region such as 

Klamath Falls, North Bend, and 

Chico. 

It appears to be the case that 

SkyWest is only boarding a small 

portion of its potential passengers in 

Crescent City due to higher 

average fares and the lack of 

general knowledge about Del 

Norte County Airport. SkyWest loses 

a large portion of its local, Crescent 

City area passengers to other airlines at other airports in the region – namely Medford and 

Eureka/Arcata. A wide ranging marketing and advertising campaign would help to remedy this 

situation, and lead to dramatically increased local enplanements in Crescent City. 

The Airport cannot undertake this campaign on its own – its revenues simply cannot cover that 

kind of expense. It needs a federal partner for financial assistance in this case. The Airport 

believes a federal Small Community Air Service Development Grant will not only help it publicize 

its flight availability, but that it will also limit leakage, and capture more local passenger traffic. 

The Airport has a comprehensive plan to achieve its air service goals – in line with the SCASDG 

Program. The Airport’s marketing and advertising program includes many media platforms, and 

will blanket the region, ensuring widespread outreach. The program is the best for the DOT to 

ensure its EAS funding is being put to its best possible use. 

 

$198

$170

$165

$160

$159

$143

$131

$117

$100 $110 $120 $130 $140 $150 $160 $170 $180 $190 $200

Arcata/Eureka, CA

Crescent City, CA

Medford, OR

Klamath Falls, OR

North Bend, OR

Sacramento, CA

Chico, CA

Santa Rosa, CA

FIGURE 4: Average One Way Domestic Fares in Regional Markets

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 13

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF PROPOSAL 

The United Airlines hub at San Francisco has been, and continues to be, a key connecting point 

for many cities up and down the west coast – including almost all of California, Oregon, and 

Washington. The Del Norte County Regional Airport’s access to the San Francisco hub is an 

essential key to its economic success (see Figure 5). But for too long, the United Express service 

at the Airport, operated by SkyWest, has not been adequately supported, mainly due to a lack 

of awareness about local air service 

options in northern California and southern 

Oregon. The Airport seeks a Small 

Community Air Service Development 

Grant in order to provide essential 

marketing and advertising support for 

SkyWest’s, dba United Express, Essential Air 

Service to the San Francisco hub. 

Now is the perfect time for this advertising 

and marketing campaign. The Airport is in 

the midst of a major service change – the 

biggest change in service in the region in 

more than a decade. SkyWest/United 

Express will end direct service from 

Crescent City to Sacramento. The Airline 

will focus all of its resources on the 

Crescent City – San Francisco route, 

increasing departures to San Francisco by 

17% and non-stop San Francisco seats by 

17%. The Airport must do all it can to 

publicize and market this service change. 

At the same time, the Airport would hope the increased enplanements from a marketing and 

advertising program would reduce the burden on the Essential Air Service (EAS) program to 

provide subsidies in the market. The long term goal under the program would be to increase 

enplanements to a level where the community’s Essential Air Service funding is no longer 

needed. 

Crescent City

San Francisco

FIGURE 5: Service at the Del Norte County Regional Airport

Source: CEC EAS Docket
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 14

One of the main reasons for the continued passenger leakage from the Del Norte County 

Regional Airport, outside its higher average fares, is the lack of local knowledge about available 

air service in Crescent City. This will become more pronounced as service changes take place. 

Those who live in the Airport catchment area are not conditioned to check local fares first, 

before booking flights from other airports. Local area travelers immediately book flights from 

Medford, Eureka/Arcata, and North Bend/Coos Bay, without ever checking to see if fares would 

be cheaper at Crescent City itself. This lack of general air service awareness is draining the local 

economy of valuable travel dollars, as travelers spend more than they would locally by flying 

from other airports. 

In order to counteract this harmful trend, which, in effect, wastes valuable Essential Air Service 

(EAS) dollars, the Del Norte County Airport plans a wide-ranging marketing campaign, saturating 

the entire region of northern California and southern Oregon. The main messages will be to 

check local fares before booking from other airports in the region, along with a general 

message explaining the new service pattern at the Airport. The campaign will highlight local air 

service affordability and availability, by showing direct comparisons on certain routes between 

fares at Del Norte County Airport and the 

airports in Eureka/Arcata and Medford. The 

campaign will also have a focused message 

towards San Francisco service, promoting the 

new double-daily schedule seven days a week. 

The campaign will be designed to include 

frequent radio, television, and newspaper 

advertising, along with giveaways. The Airport 

seeks $200,000 in federal funds, to be paired with $20,000 in new local funds, from the Airport 

and its community partners – above and beyond the Airport’s current marketing budget – to 

support this marketing and advertising campaign. The campaign is planned to last for the entire 

length of the current Essential Air Service contract – through May of 2012. 

The Airport has already developed a comprehensive marketing and advertising placement 

plan, which will include large buys on local and regional radio stations, along with local and 

regional newspapers and magazines. The campaign will be focused in the immediate Crescent 

City MSA, and bordering counties in both northern California and southern Oregon. 

“The new campaign will also have 

a focused message towards San 

Francisco service, promoting the 

new double-daily schedule seven 

days a week.” 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 15

Other types of marketing will include new website materials for ease of booking and better 

awareness of specific flight schedules, with banner ads promoting the double-daily San 

Francisco service. The Airport also plans specific outreach to area businesses, through Airportaffiliated employees, to meet with those who travel most frequently and ensure they are aware 

of the benefit of using local air service. 

Rough drafts have been created for 

some the advertising slated for 

newspaper and magazine runs. The 

main draft print advertisement extols 

the benefits of flying to San Francisco 

on the currently available non-stops – 

promoting the new increased 

availability of flights with the 17% 

increase in departures and seats from 

Crescent City (see Figure 6). Many of 

those who live in the area drive to San 

Francisco, despite the high cost of fuel 

and the long drive time of 6 hours and 

30 minutes. This ad seeks to increase 

awareness that the trip can be made 

much more quickly by using Crescent 

City air service on United Express, 

especially now that flight options have 

increased. 

The Airport believes the marketing and 

advertising campaign will have an 

immediate impact, with the new 

service pattern going into place. Now 

is the time for the campaign – it cannot wait – due to the fact the service changes are 

imminent. If the Airport cannot blanket the region with this message, it is likely the service 

changes will go unnoticed, and passengers will continue booking trips out of other airports in the 

region, increasing the per-passenger EAS subsidy in Crescent City.

FLYCRESCENTCITY.com

Why drive, when you can fly?

United Express service at the Del Norte County Regional Airport is independently operated by SkyWest.

DON’T TAKE A DAY

TO GET TO THE BAY.

United Express offers daily non-stops to San Francisco, direct from the 

Del Norte County Regional Airport. No more big airport hassles, 

and no more wasted days getting to the Bay.

FIGURE 6: Proposed Print Advertisement for the

Del Norte County Regional Airport
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 16

CURRENT AIR SERVICE IN CRESCENT CITY 

Crescent City, as document in this proposal, is in the midst of its biggest service change in years. 

SkyWest, the community’s Essential Air Service (EAS) carrier won a new EAS contract with its bid 

to end direct service between Crescent City and Sacramento while adding two flights per week 

on the Crescent City – San Francisco route. The end result of this service change will be the 

reduction in total departures per week and seats per week by almost a third. Still, San Francisco 

service will gain two departures per week and 60 seats per week in each direction, which is likely 

a better service pattern for the community. 

Current Passenger Traffic at the Del Norte County Regional Airport 

Between the year ended first quarter 2003 and the year ended first quarter 2008 the Del Norte 

County Regional Airport saw strong passenger growth. As of the year ended first quarter 2003 

the Airport saw an average of 28.5 passengers per day each way (PDEW) (see Figure 7). By the 

year ended first quarter 2008 this number had grown by 54%, to an average of 44 passengers 

per day each way. The Airport was able to accomplish this growth through limited local 

marketing and advertising. 

20,820

22,570

24,020

21,390

30,560

32,090

23,550

21,800

28.5

30.9

32.9

29.3

41.9

44.0

32.3

29.9

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Annual Passengers 

PDEW

FIGURE 7: Domestic O&D Passengers, Del Norte County Regional Airport,

YE1Q03 – YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 17

In the last two years the Airport has seen steep passenger declines due to a number of factors, 

not the least of which were increasing airfares and a weakening local economy. As of the year 

ended first quarter 2010, the Del Norte County Regional Airport saw an average of 29.9 

passengers per day each way, down 32% from the passenger highs seen in the year ended first 

quarter 2008 (see Figure 7). During this same period the average fare in the market increased 

from $134 each way to $170 each way – an increase of 27%. This fare increase had the effect of 

making Crescent City service much more expensive than similar service found at both Medford 

and North Bend, Oregon – both competing airports to Crescent City. 

San Francisco remained the Del Norte County Regional Airport’s largest origin and destination 

passenger market for the year ended first quarter 2010, with almost 3,400 total passengers, or 4.6 

passengers per day each way (PDEW) (see Figure 8). Non-stop service on the route has seen 

passenger declines in the last several years. As of the year ended first quarter 2009, the CEC-SFO 

local route averaged 6.3 passengers per day each way (PDEW), which was 27% more 

passengers than the route was able to average in the year ended first quarter 2010. 

3,360

2,610

1,790

1,540

800

640

540

500

470

420

410

400

370

320

320

300

270

250

250

200

4.6

3.6

2.5

2.1

1.1

0.9

0.7

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.3

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500

San Francisco

Los Angeles

Sacramento

San Diego

Orange County

Las Vegas

Denver

Ontario

Phoenix

Chicago O'Hare

New York Kennedy

Honolulu

Santa Barbara

Washington Dulles

Boston

Philadelphia

Palm Springs

Salt Lake City

Orlando

Dallas/Ft. Worth

Annual Passengers 

PDEW

FIGURE 8: Top 20 Domestic O&D Passenger Markets at Del Norte County Regional Airport,

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 18

San Francisco is an excellent gateway for all of Crescent City’s top 20 origin and destination 

markets, as each is served with one-stop by United and its Star Alliance partners (see Figure 8). 

Still, only five of Crescent City’s top 20 markets produce at least one passenger per day each 

way, indicating SkyWest needs to collect Crescent City passengers connecting to a number of 

destinations just to fill a 30-seat aircraft. 

For the first time in several years San Francisco does not rank as Crescent City’s top origin and 

destination revenue market. As of the year ended first quarter 2010 Los Angeles International 

Airport (LAX) took that honor, generating an average of $446 in revenue per day each way 

(RDEW)(see Figure 9). San Francisco ranked second as of the year ended first quarter 2010 with 

an average of $407 in revenue per day each way generated from the Crescent City market. 

$325,640

$297,150

$201,610

$175,760

$125,250

$85,110

$81,440

$76,260

$71,720

$69,280

$67,920

$62,130

$61,630

$59,740

$58,880

$51,490

$49,240

$45,480

$42,430

$41,570

$446

$407

$276

$241

$172

$117

$112

$104

$98

$95

$93

$85

$84

$82

$81

$71

$67

$62

$58

$57

0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000

Los Angeles

San Francisco

Sacramento

San Diego

Orange County

Las Vegas

Washington Dulles

New York Kennedy

Phoenix

Chicago O'Hare

Denver

Dallas/Ft. Worth

Ontario

Honolulu

Boston

Philadelphia

Santa Barbara

Kansas City

Palm Springs

Salt Lake City

Annual Revenue

RDEW

FIGURE 9: Top 20 Domestic O&D Revenue Markets at Del Norte County Regional Airport,

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 19

San Francisco’s average revenue per day each way was down by 35% from the year ended first 

quarter 2009, when it generated an average of $625 in revenue per day each way (see Figure 

9). Only four of Crescent City’s top markets 

produced at least $200 in revenue per day 

each way, with the rest producing significantly 

less than that. 

The passenger and revenue numbers for the 

year ended first quarter 2010 seem to indicate 

that the Del Norte County Airport is barely 

scratching the surface of its potential. With just a few markets producing more than a passenger 

per day each way, the Airport is retaining only a small percentage of local travelers. Many of 

those who live within the Airport’s catchment area have little awareness about the affordability 

of air service provided locally, so they don’t even check local fares before purchasing tickets 

from other airports in the region. The Airport believes it must work harder to capture the local 

passengers, by proving service is attainable, and even though it might be slightly more 

expensive, there is value in flying locally. 

“With just a few markets producing 

more than a passenger per day each 

way, the Airport is retaining only a 

small percentage of local travelers.” 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 20

AIR SERVICE DEFICIENCIES IN CRESCENT CITY 

The average airfare in the Crescent City market rose by 27%, $36 each way, or $72 roundtrip 

between the year ended first quarter 2009 and the year ended first quarter 2010. Additionally, 

Crescent City has the second highest average one way fare of all airports in northern California 

and southern Oregon as of the year ended first quarter 2010. 

These high airfares have the impact of pushing local passengers to other airports in the region for 

fare relief. High airfares in Crescent City also have the impact of convincing travelers that local 

air service is expensive and unattainable, which causes them to stop checking local flights at 

the Del Norte County Regional Airport before booking out of other, far away airports in the 

region. If the fare is too high to consider 

local service for a couple of trips in a row, 

local travelers become conditioned to 

check non-local airports first. 

But average fares only tell part of the 

story. They do not indicate what the fares 

look like on the high end of the scale, or 

what percentage of travelers from each airport pay for fares in each “bucket.” In order to gain 

a better understanding of the true fare environment in Crescent City it is important to compare 

the percentage of travelers at Crescent City obtaining fares in each fare bucket. It is then 

important to compare the fare bucket data with other regional airports for a point of reference. 

Between the region and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) a larger percentage of 

passengers using the Del Norte County Regional Airport paid higher fares than passengers using 

either Medford’s Rogue Valley International Airport or the Arcata-Eureka Airport. The largest 

proportion of passengers flying between Medford and LAX paid between $50 and $100 each 

way for their flight – 37.4% – as of the year ended first quarter 2010 (see Figure 10). At the same 

time, the largest proportion of Arcata-Eureka – Los Angeles passengers – 46.4% – paid between 

$100 and $150 each way for their flights. 

“High airfares... have the impact of 

convincing travelers that local air 

service is expensive and unattainable, 

which causes them to stop checking 

local flights...” 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 21

The largest proportion of local passengers using the Del Norte County Regional Airport in 

Crescent City paid between $150 and $200 each way for their flights to Los Angeles (LAX) – 

44.2% – as of the year 

ended first quarter 2010 

(see Figure 10). In 

essence, more 

passengers at Crescent 

City’s Airport are forced 

to buy tickets in a higher 

fare bucket due to the 

lack of available seats in 

the lower fare buckets. 

Airports with more seats 

available overall tend to 

have more seats 

available at lower fare 

buckets. 

The same is true between northern California/southern Oregon airports and John Wayne Airport 

(SNA) in Santa Ana/Orange County. The largest proportion of passengers flying between 

Medford and SNA paid between $200 and $250 each way for their flight – 34.6% – as of the year 

ended first quarter 2010 (see Figure 11). 

The largest 

proportion of local 

passengers using the 

Del Norte County 

Regional Airport in 

Crescent City paid 

more than $250 

each way for their 

flights to Orange 

County (SNA) – 

51.9% – as of the 

year ended first 

7.4%

16.9%

10.1%

44.2%

15.7%

5.6%

1.0%

2.7%

46.4%

32.2%

16.3%

1.3%

10.3%

37.4%

22.5%

15.0%

8.9%

5.9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

between $0 and $50 between $50 and 

$100

between $100 and 

$150

between $150 and 

$200

between $200 and 

$250

Above $250

CEC-LAX

ACV-LAX

MFR-LAX

FIGURE 10: Tickets Purchased by Airfare Range, or “Bucket,”  

To Los Angeles (LAX), YE1Q10; Source: Sixel Consulting Group Analysis

2.5%

21.5%

8.9%

5.1%

10.1%

51.9%

1.6% 0.0%

8.9%

17.7%

20.2%

51.6%

0.9%

4.0% 5.5%

23.5%

34.6%

31.5%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

between $0 and $50 between $50 and 

$100

between $100 and 

$150

between $150 and 

$200

between $200 and 

$250

Above $250

CEC-SNA

ACV-SNA

MFR-SNA

FIGURE 11: Tickets Purchased by Airfare Range, or “Bucket,”  

To Orange County (SNA), YE1Q10; Source: Sixel Consulting Group Analysis
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 22

quarter 2010 (see Figure 11). More Crescent City passengers paid for fares in the highest bucket 

to Orange County than passengers at any other airport in northern California and southern 

Oregon. These fare disparities have the impact of causing local, Crescent City catchment area 

residents to fly from Medford and Arcata-Eureka for cheaper flights. 

It should be noted that Crescent City fares would likely be even higher were it not for the 

strength of the subsidy provided for SkyWest/United Express service by the federal Essential Air 

Service (EAS) program. Under this program, SkyWest earned $1.14 million in annual federal 

funding to operate its Crescent City flight schedule in 2009. Effectively, this was a $52.29 subsidy, 

per passenger, as of the year ended first quarter 2010. Taking into account this per passenger 

subsidy, the “true” fare in Crescent City as of 

the year ended first quarter 2010 would have 

been $229.29 each way, not $170. 

With clearly lower published fares it is no 

surprise that a large percentage of those who 

live within the Crescent City catchment area 

chose to fly from Medford and Eureka/Arcata. 

Local passengers have been conditioned to expect local air service will be more expensive, so 

they don’t even bother to check local fares. Even if fares drop at the Del Norte County Airport, it 

goes largely unnoticed by local travelers – providing strong emphasis for increased local 

marketing and advertising to explain the value of flying from the local airport. 

 

“With clearly lower published fares it is 

no surprise that a large percentage of 

those who live within the Crescent City 

catchment area chose to fly from 

Medford and Eureka/Arcata.” 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 23

EXTENUATING FACTORS AFFECTING AIR SERVICE 

As would be expected in an Essential Air Service (EAS) market, Crescent City’s Del Norte County 

Regional Airport offers far fewer available seats and far fewer departing flights than any of the 

other airports in northern California and southern Oregon. This exacerbates the difficulty in 

growing local air service. In many cases there are so few local seats available on a daily basis 

that flight options are either inconvenient for local travelers, that passengers have trouble finding 

competitive fares on the flights they want. 

SkyWest/United Express offers fewer available seats out of Del Norte County Regional Airport 

than do the airlines service all of the other airports in northern California and southern Oregon. 

In fact, as of the year 

ended first quarter 2010, 

SkyWest offered just 

22,944 total departing 

available seats in and out 

of Crescent City – which 

equates to just 63 

departing seats per day 

each way (see Figure 12). 

The two closest airports to 

Crescent City, outside the 

Del Norte County 

Regional Airport, 

Medford and 

Eureka/Arcata, offered significantly more departing seats available as of the year ended first 

quarter 2010. Airlines in Eureka/Arcata offered 15 times the departing seats – 356,806 or 488 

departing seats per day each way – than airlines offered in Crescent City (see Figure 12). In 

Medford, airlines offered 37 times the seats as of the year ended first quarter 2010 that they 

offered in Crescent City. 

Under these circumstances, it is difficult for the Del Norte County Airport to compete with the air 

service offered at other northern California and southern Oregon airports. Even in the rare cases 

where when fares are lower in Crescent City, there are times there are no seats available at that 

848,978

356,806 295,900

181,179

22,944

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

Medford Eureka/Arcata Redding Santa Rosa Crescent City

FIGURE 12: Total Departing Seats at Regional Airports,  

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT T100 Data
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 24

fare class, and travelers are forced to fly from other airports in the region. The Airport must 

increase awareness of local air service in order to counteract the deficiencies that have grown 

more pronounced in recent years. 

Another challenge in the Crescent City market is the limited number of flights offered locally 

versus the more frequent flights offered at other airports in the region. As of the year ended first 

quarter 2010, SkyWest/United Express averaged just 2.7 departures per day at Del Norte County 

Regional Airport (see Figure 13). At the same time, Eureka/Arcata averaged 11.5 departures per 

day – with eight more flight choices per day 

than Crescent City. 

Meanwhile, airlines at Medford offered 

more than seven times the flight options as 

airlines at Crescent City, as Medford 

averaged 19.4 departures per day as of the 

year ended first quarter 2010 (see Figure 

13). Even smaller airports in the region such 

as Redding and Santa Rosa had at least 

double the airline departures per day that 

Crescent City had as of the year ended first 

quarter 2010. 

It must also be noted that the Del Norte County Regional Airport will lose four departures per 

week under its new EAS contract. All direct service to Sacramento will end, leaving the Airport 

with just two departures per day to San Francisco – a loss of 0.7 departures per day. This will put 

the Airport at a greater disadvantage versus other airports in the region.

Travelers in the Crescent City catchment area realize this shortcoming of local air service. They 

don’t perceive air service at the Del Norte County Airport as offering a competitive array of 

departure times. Still, the daily departures from Crescent City are spread to both sides of the 

day, and often offer many of the same connections available from other airports in the region. 

This message must be spread throughout the Airport’s catchment area in northern California 

and southern Oregon, in order for Crescent City air service to be truly competitive. 

T 

19.4

11.5

7.7

4.8

2.7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Medford Eureka/Arcata Redding Santa Rosa Crescent City

FIGURE 13: Total Departures at Regional Airports,  

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT T100 Data
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 25

AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATE AIRPORTS 

It is well established that many of those who live in the Del Norte County Airport/Jack McNamara 

Field catchment area choose to fly from other airports in the region. The most popular alternate 

airport for Crescent City area travelers tends to be Eureka/Arcata, which is located 69 miles 

south of Crescent City on Highway 101, 

the Pacific Coast Highway (see Figure 

14). The drive to Eureka/Arcata takes 

about an hour and a half on a mostly 

narrow two-lane highway due to the 

rugged terrain one must cross, through 

the Coast Range. 

A number of Del Norte County Airport 

catchment area travelers also fly from 

the Rogue Valley International Airport in 

Medford. Medford is 109 miles from 

Crescent City (see Figure 14). Moreover, 

the drive from Crescent City to Medford 

is exceptionally difficult, on a narrow, 

two-lane road – Highway 199 – through 

the Redwoods National Park, and the 

Coast Range of southern Oregon. In the winter, this trip is almost impossible when storms roll in 

off the Pacific, dumping heavy snows in the mountains. In good weather, the drive from 

Crescent City to Medford takes 2 hours and 20 minutes. In bad weather the drive can take as 

long as 4 hours. 

FIGURE 14: Airports in the Same Region as

The Del Norte County Regional Airport
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 26

USE OF LOCAL FEDERAL FUNDS 

Marketing and Advertising 

The Del Norte County Regional Airport/Jack McNamara Field proposes to spend a total of 

$220,000 in funds on marketing and advertising promotions in support of SkyWest/United Express 

service to and from San Francisco. The goal is to increase enplanements, and lower fares, 

through targeted regional campaigns. 

An example of the advertising produced for the campaign is available in the “detailed 

explanation of the proposal” section of this document. $20,000 of the total marketing budget 

will come from new local funds, being committed specifically for this Grant application, while 

the federal share will be $200,000. 

Additional Costs 

As part of this program the Airport understands that additional expenses will be incurred, such as 

monitoring the results of the program and reporting those results back to the US DOT. The Airport 

will pay for these additional expenses out of other airport sources and will not incorporate these 

fees and charges into this proposal. 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 27

PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS 

A number of local partners will be working with the Del Norte County Regional Airport to 

promote and market air service. Contacts will be made to all members of local chambers of 

commerce and similar organizations, and those with an interest in growing the economic base 

of the community through local business growth, attraction of new businesses and the 

promotion of tourism and visitor traffic via the airport. 

Del Norte Chamber of Commerce 

The Del Norte Chamber of Commerce acts as an information bridge between the Airport and 

the community’s businesses. The Chamber represents thousands of area businesses. The 

Chamber is in a unique position to spread word about air service in the market, and to promote 

its use. The Chamber is vital in marketing of any air service, and is ready to use its resources to 

aid in the marketing program described in this application.

Del Norte County 

Del Norte County Supervisors are some of the biggest supporters of continued air service at 

Crescent City’s local airport, as they realize how vital the Del Norte County Regional Airport is to 

the growth of the entire region of northern California and southern Oregon that it serves. As the 

owners of the Del Norte County Regional Airport, County leaders continually work to develop 

and support new air service initiatives. 

Border Coast Regional Airport Authority 

The Airport Authority was recently formed as a cross-border Joint Power Authority to provide 

regional management of a critical public use facility that serves the entire region. The Airport 

Authority Board of Commissioners is made up of representatives from the County of Del Norte 

and Curry County Boards of Supervisors, the City Council of Crescent City and Brookings Oregon, 

and the Tribal Chair of the Elk Valley Rancheria and soon the Smith River Rancheria. The Border 

Coast Regional Airport Authority is responsible for the operation, management, and promotion 

of the Del Norte County Regional Airport. 

The Airport Authority Board of Commissioners is in charge of determining the Airport’s budget, 

and approved this application for grant funding. The Airport Authority Board will oversee this 

grant, if awarded. 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 28

Curry County, Oregon 

Curry County, Oregon took the unprecedented step of awarding the Del Norte County Airport a 

County grant to study and promote new air service. This cross-county and cross-state grant is 

one of the few of its kind ever awarded in the country. 

City of Crescent City, California and City of Brookings, Oregon 

The Cities of Crescent City and Brookings are members of the Border Coast Regional Airport 

Authority and they work together to promote air service at the Del Norte County Regional 

Airport. Both cities realize the importance of air service in expanding local tourist-based 

economy. City leaders continually work with Airport leaders to promote service, and to ensure 

the Airport has the resources it needs to be competitive in the region. 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 29

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE 

The Airport’s proposed implementation timeline for the project assumes the Department will 

award Small Community Grant Funding in December 2010. Once the award is announced, the 

Del Norte County Regional Airport will begin work with private marketing and advertising firms, 

along with SkyWest and United Airlines, to build the campaign materials and to finalize the 

placement plan. 

The first two milestones on the Airport's timeline are to execute the grant agreement with the 

Department and execute an agreement with a marketing and advertising firm to begin work. 

These milestones should be achieved by the end of January 2011. Additionally, the Airport will 

submit grant status reports on a quarterly basis to the Department throughout the proposed term 

of the marketing and advertising program. The specific timeline is listed. 

Activity/Project Milestone Estimated Date

SCASD Grant Award Announcement December 2010

Executive Grant Agreement with DOT January 2011

Executive Agreement with Marketing Firm January 2011

Develop Creative February 2011

Develop Comprehensive Placement Strategy February 2011

Launch Campaign March 2011

Sustain Campaign March 2011 - March 2013

Monitor Route Performance March 2011 - March 2013

Submit Grant Status Reports to DOT Quarterly Q1 2011 - Q1 2013

Close Grant April 2013
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 30

AIR SERVICE ADVISORY GROUPS 

Border Coast Regional Airport Authority Technical Advisory Committee 

The Airport Authority Technical Advisory Committee is a sub-committee of the Airport Authority 

Board of Commissioners. This Committee is made up of community members and meets 

regularly to evaluate airport plans, policies procedures and promotions as well as current trends 

and issues that affect air service serving Del Norte County and the northern California/southern 

Oregon region. 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 31

LOCAL AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS 

For a smaller, regional airport, the administration at the Del Norte County Airport/Jack 

McNamara Field is very active in working with airlines, community stakeholders, and businesses 

to increase the viability and affordability of local air service. The Airport contracted with an air 

service development consulting firm in 2008 to conduct a full scale survey of the air service 

provided in the northern California/southern Oregon region. This study led to an air service 

development master plan, providing a blueprint for the marketing, advertising, and expansion of 

the Del Norte County Airport in the years to come. 

The Airport has had numerous conversations with leaders at United Airlines and SkyWest, as it 

works to improve the service offered in the Crescent City market. The Airport continues to 

advocate for additional non-stop frequencies, flights that are de-linked from Eureka/Arcata, 

and additional seats in hopes of continuing to bring down average fares. The Airport believes 

Small Community Air Service Development Grant funding is an important step that needs to be 

taken in order for its long standing initiatives and goals for air service to be met. 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 32

IN-KIND SERVICES FROM COMMUNITY 

The following organizations will help promote the new service through their various membership 

groups. There is no estimated value to these services. 

 Del Norte Chamber of Commerce 

 City of Crescent City 

 City of Brookings, Oregon 

 Del Norte County 

 Airport Technical Advisory Committee 

 Elk Valley Rancheria 

 Smith River Rancheria 

 Curry County, Oregon 

 Brookings Chamber of Commerce 

 Tri Agency Economic Development Agency 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 33

PERFORMANCE MEASURES 

The success of the program will be based on a pair of variables. The Airport will judge the first 

measure of success by the increased number of enplanements on United Express service to San 

Francisco. The second measure of success will be based on how much average airfares 

charged in the community have gone down, with the increase in enplanements. The 

measurement of enplanements will include a monthly comparison, once the program begins, to 

past enplanements numbers. The measurement of airfares will be derived from US DOT OD1A 

reports. 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 34

LEGAL SPONSOR 

The Border Coast Regional Airport Authority is the legal sponsor responsible for administering the 

program. The Border Coast Regional Airport Authority is a government entity. 

Border Coast Regional Airport Authority 

150 Dale Rupert Road 

Crescent City, California 95531 

James Bernard, Airport Director 

707.464.7288 

JBernard@co.del-norte.ca.us 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 35

FINANCIAL CONTROLS 

As the sponsor, the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority will be the responsible party for all 

fiscal matters and US DOT reporting requirements. The Airport is publicly owned by Del Norte 

County and operated and managed by the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority who also 

manages and monitors numerous Caltrans and FAA AIP grants for various airport capital 

improvement and compliance projects. As a public entity the US DOT can be assured that 

proper financial controls are in place to guarantee that the US DOT’s grant will be used in 

accordance with any subsequent agreement. The leaders of the Airport Authority understand 

that the grant is a reimbursable grant, meaning the Airport is responsible for program 

expenditures and will submit invoices to the US DOT for reimbursement, based on a percentage 

of the total grant request. 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 36

RETURN ON INVESTMENT 

The Del Norte County Regional Airport has developed a cost effective and achievable strategy 

to increase enplanements at the Airport. The proposal uses proven methods of achieving air 

service improvements, allowing the DOT to be comfortable with choosing this proposal. The 

increased awareness of air service, increased enplanements on the service, and access to lower 

airfares with increased enplanements, is in line with the major goals of the Small Community Air 

Service Development Program. 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 37

DOT EXIT STRATEGY 

The Del Norte County Regional Airport has developed this proposal as a one-time grant. The 

advertising and marketing program will commence as soon as this grant is awarded and last for 

the duration of the current Essential Air Service (EAS) contract. It is projected that local 

enplanements will grow within the first few months of the launch of the advertising program. 

 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 38

AIRPORT INFORMATION 

Del Norte County Regional Airport, also known as Jack McNamara Field, serves the northern 

coast of California as the only gateway commercial airport between Arcata/Eureka, California 

and Medford, Oregon. The airport has many advantages to offer the traveling public. Facilities 

include free on-airport parking, close proximity to the cities, counties and communities served, 

shorter lines for TSA conducted security screening of passengers and car rental agencies on-site. 

 

The Airport has to runways, in an “x” formation. Each 

runway is 5,000 feet long, while Runway 11 is the only 

one equipped with an ILS (instrument landing system) 

approach. 

Del Norte County Airport is a County-owned facility, 

located just three miles from the Crescent City central 

business district. The Airport is also located within 

walking distance of the Pacific Ocean. About 27% of 

the Airport’s 2008 operations were provided by 

commercial airlines (with scheduled SkyWest service), 

while 73% of the Airport’s operations were air taxi and 

general aviation.

FIGURE 15: Del Norte County Airport at Jack

McNamara Field, Crescent City, aerial photo  
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 39

CRESCENT CITY COMMUNITY PROFILE 

The town of Crescent City is named after its crescent-shaped beach. It emerged in the 1850s, 

during the Gold Rush, and soon became the chief port of entry and supply center for miners of 

Oregon and neighboring settlements in California. The community was incorporated in 1854 and 

agriculture, lumber, and fishing soon became the primary economic mainstays. 

The Redwood forest provided settlers the lumber they needed for 

settlement and survival. Today, those same forests bring millions of 

tourists to the region. Redwood National Park was established in 

1968. Crescent City has a thriving tourism industry that capitalizes on 

the community’s location and easy access to numerous recreational 

opportunities. 

 

Crescent City is surrounded by State and National Parks and recreational opportunities. The Elk 

Creek Wildlife Area is located adjacent to downtown Crescent City, Tolowa Dunes State Park is 

slightly north of the Airport, and the Redwood National Park Headquarters and Visitor Information 

Center is located in the city’s downtown. The Smith River 

National Recreation Area, and the Redwood National Park 

are both within a few miles of the city. Hiking, biking, bird 

watching, fishing, and whale watching are all offered within a 

few miles of the downtown core. 

The Crescent City Harbor offers resources for whale watching 

cruises, wind surfing, surfing, fish derbies, and diving. There are 

three community groups that offer arts and cultural 

performances, exhibits, and educational programs, including the Community Concert 

Association, the Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness, and the Lighthouse Repertory 

Theatre. 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 40

What’s New in Crescent City 

Crescent City has completed its transition from a timber economy to a tourism and fishing 

economy, with downtown development helping to lure significant new investment. As the 

gateway to Redwoods National Park, Crescent City has become a top tourist destination on the 

west coast, and a number of new businesses are popping-up to take advantage of local tourist 

spending. 

 Crescent City officials have made it a priority to revitalize Front 

Street, seeing it as a potential boon for economic development 

and beautification. After a final conceptualization is chosen, the 

city intends to go to the Del Norte Local Transportation 

Commission to secure funding for the design. Local Transportation Commission Executive 

Director Tamera Leighton said the project design would likely be eligible for various types 

of funding — including Regional Surface Transportation Program money from Caltrans — 

because it is considered a regional transportation priority. Front Street is seen as an 

important area for the community. Leighton said, “It’s an access to our downtown and a 

lot of our public beaches. It has the potential to be a main street to our city and really 

benefit our community.” 

 Bay Area developers recently built a new downtown project, called the Abbienna Plaza, 

which is a complete remodel of a 20,000 square foot building that survived Crescent 

City’s 1964 tsunami. The building houses five commercial tenants – businesses aimed at 

bringing tourists to the downtown area – along with upper floor office space. The multimillion dollar development is just one of several that are reviving the downtown core. 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 41

Crescent City Economic Overview 

Crescent City’s economy has long been tied to the natural resources which surround the City. In 

the early days of the City’s founding – the mid 1800s – timber was king in Crescent City and 

throughout the hills surrounding the City in northern California and southern Oregon. As more 

land was brought under federal protection in the mid 1900s, the economy was forced to move 

away from timber, and towards commercial fishing. Today, more than 100 commercial ships are 

docked in the Crescent City Harbor, along with dozens of sport fishing boats which draw tens of 

thousands of tourists 

to the region each 

year. 

Government is, by far, 

the Crescent City 

area’s largest source 

of employment, 

employing almost 44% 

of all area workers 

(see Table 20). 

Educational and 

health services is 

second, with almost 

14% of workers. Meanwhile, the importance of tourism to the local economy is evident, as 

leisure and hospitality workers make up almost 11% of all Crescent City area employees. 

While the unemployment rate in Crescent City, CA, is 12.40%, future job growth over the next ten 

years is predicted to be 24.10%. Tourism and recreation are vital factors in the local economy, 

and in the reduction of the unemployment rate. 

Industries such as government, educational and health services, and trade, transportation, and 

utilities recorded significant job gains. Educational and health services grew by more than 13 

percent, or 130 jobs, while trade, transportation, and utilities experienced 11.8 percent growth, 

also adding 130 jobs. Other industries recording gains over these years included: natural 

resources, mining, and construction; financial activities; leisure and hospitality; agriculture; and 

manufacturing. 

FIGURE 16: Del Norte Employment by Industry, 2006  

Source: Del Norte County
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 42

The Crescent City area has also become a center for bulb farms, producing a large proportion 

of the bulbs sold to nurseries around the west. Crescent City’s most well-known bulbs include 

many varieties of lilies. 

Select Company Profiles

Dahlstrom & Watt Bulb Farm 

The Dahlstrom and Watt Bulb Farm, located in Smith 

River, is one of the largest floral growers in the western 

United States, with markets around the country, and in 

several foreign countries. Dahlstrom and Watt 

operates 12 acres of greenhouses producing holiday 

flowering plants, foliage plants, and specialty plants. 

The facility also has several outdoor acres of 

ornamental plants. Dahlstrom and Watt grows nearly 

25% of all the Easter Lily bulbs in the US and Canada. 

Hambro Forest Products 

The Hambro Group owns several forest products producers from Crescent City 

and Eureka, California to the coasts of North Carolina. Hambro’s Crescent 

City facility produces Cresdek, engineered recycled wood used for flooring. Credek is shipped 

from Crescent City to more than 60 home builders around the country, and has been in 

continuous production since 1965. 

Palmer Westbrook, Inc. 

The Palmer Westbrook Ranch, in Smith River, features two distinct businesses. 

The Ranch is one of the largest producers of Easter Lily bulbs in the US, after 

nearby Dahlstrom and Watt, while at the same time being one of California’s largest organic 

beef producers. The Palmer Westbrook company operates a sustainable organic farm, in line 

with the values of many in the region. 

Employer 

City of Crescent City 

Crescent City Nursing & Rehab

Elk Valley Rancheria

Hambro Forest Products

Home Depot

Palmer Westbrook Inc.

Pelican Bay Prison

Ray’s Food Place

Safeway

Smith River Rancheria

Sutter Coast Hospital

Walmart

Yurok Tribe

FIGURE 17: Major Employers in Del Norte County,

Source: Del Norte Chamber of Commerce  
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 43

The Sun Valley Group 

Sun Valley floral is another of the region’s large flower producers, helping to anchor 

the agricultural economy of Del Norte County. Sun Valley grows primarily Iris, 

Hydrangea, and Zantedeschia at its Smith River facility. The Group also has it 

headquarters in Del Norte County, with its national sales team that places its products around 

the country. 

Crescent City Tourism 

Amid an awe-inspiring cathedral of soaring ancient redwoods, along a rugged wave-swept 

Pacific shore, deep in the cool serpentine canyons of the untamed Smith River, Del Norte 

County is where visitors find the real Northern California. 

Visitors, from the moment they arrive, are immersed in the splendor of nature at her most 

extravagant. Each path leads to a breathtaking world of contrasts – tiny flowers in the shadow of 

the world's largest trees, the silent grace of a solitary pelican dipping its wings the pounding surf, 

morning mists evaporating in the warmth of the sun. Unspoiled 

and unlike any other place on earth, Del Norte County is an 

experience in nature. 

The influence of the sea and rivers is omnipresent. Cool ocean 

mists nurture the giant redwoods. Rich offshore fishing grounds 

support a thriving commercial fishery. The rocky chasms and 

thrilling whitewater of the Smith River – California's largest wild river system – form the spectacular 

centerpiece of the 305,337 acre Smith River National Recreation Area. And throughout Del 

Norte County, diverse river and sea-creature habitats support an incredible array of wildlife. 

Magnificent forest trails, sandy beaches, and river rafting are all close at hand. Yet for all its 

accessibility, Del Norte County is unspoiled and uncrowded – perhaps the most remarkable fact 

of all. 

Standing above all others, the great redwood forests of Del Norte County have long epitomized 

the fabled beauty of the North Coast. For many years, tales have been told of a redwood 

kingdom hidden in the North. Today, the County is home of Redwood National and State Parks, 

nearly a half-million acres of national forest lands. 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 44

Redwoods National Park 

Created in 1968, to preserve the majestic Redwood forests of the northern 

California coast, Redwoods National Park is a 132,000 acre preserve just a 

few miles outside of Crescent City. The Park is located entirely within Del 

Norte and Humboldt Counties, protecting 45% of all the remaining 

Coastal Redwood forest in the world. The Park also offers breathtaking 

vistas of the rocky, rugged Pacific Coast. Roughly 400,000 people come 

through the Park’s visitor’s center, located in Crescent City, each year. 

Brookings, Oregon 

Located less than 45 minutes to the north of Crescent City along 

the famed Pacific Coast Highway, Brookings is in what’s known as 

the “banana belt” of Oregon, on a warm current in the Pacific 

Ocean that keeps it in the 70s during the winter. Brookings is also 

known for its spectacular, rocky coastline, and championship golf 

courses. More than a million tourists make the trip to Brookings 

each year, with Crescent City being the closest gateway by 

commercial airline service. 

Crescent City Charter Fishing 

The Crescent City Harbor is home to several dozen sport fishing charter boat, which run 

both public and private deep sea Pacific fishing charters. Most trips catch salmon and 

tuna, but depending on the season boat captains offer Dungeness Crab, shrimp, and 

cod trips. 

Enderts Beach 

Located within Redwoods National Park, Enderts Beach is just three miles south of the 

Crescent City downtown business district, and is one of the most popular for visitors and 

locals alike. Enderts offers a sandy beach, along with trail access to a number of rocky 

tidepools. Enderts is known as the premier spot for whale watching in the spring and fall. 
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 45

Elk Valley Casino 

This 23,000 square foot casino is located near the entrance of Redwoods National Forest, 

featuring Las Vegas-style gaming. A hotel resort, an 18-hole golf course, a bowling 

center, and an RV resort are in the planning and design phase. 

Lucky 7 Casino 

The Lucky 7 Casino is an enterprise of the Tolowa Indians of the Smith River 

Rancheria. When the Rancheria was established in 1906, it was the largest in 

the State of California, consisting of 160 acres. In 2001, the Rancheria opened 

a new facility, which now offers 270 slot machines, Blackjack, Bingo, and the 

House of Howonquet restaurant. The Casino is in the process of a major 

expansion that will add a new conference/bingo area, new restaurant and 

double the size of the gaming area. 

Point St. George 

The Point St. George Trail, part of the Pacific Coast Trail, offers a mellow stroll along 

bluffs overlooking a dramatic rocky coastline. The well-preserved wetlands here are 

an important stopover on the Pacific Flyway — a major migration route for bird 

species such as harlequin ducks, tundra swans, and Aleutian Canada geese. The 

park encompasses a stretch of dramatic rocky coastline that is among the best in 

the state. Killer sunsets are a regular occurrence, and the bluffs make an excellent platform for 

whale watching in late fall and mid-spring.

Higher Education in Crescent City 

Crescent City is home to several thousand full-time students who attend the 

College of the Redwoods local campus. The College offers two-year 

community programs in a number of fields, with its main campus in Eureka. 

The college offers a variety of transfer, vocational, and community-based 

classes, including its world-famous Fine Woodworking Program started by master woodworker 

James Krenov, along with a Police Academy, Nursing and Dental Programs, Truck Driving School, 

ever-evolving Computer Information Sciences, Computer-Aided Drafting, and Digital Media 

Departments, and the Hospitality, Restaurant and Culinary Arts Program.
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 46

COMPARISONS TO REGIONAL COMMUNITIES

Itinerary Average

Airport YE 1Q 08 YE 1Q 09 YE 1Q 10 Mileage Yield 08-10 09-10

1 Inyokern, CA $349.72 $440.89 $438.08 1,680 26.08¢ 11.9% -0.6% 

2 Oxnard/Ventura, CA $267.77 $313.08 $275.53 1,307 21.08¢ 1.4% -12.0% 

3 Bakersfield, CA $215.34 $227.67 $217.08 1,337 16.24¢ 0.4% -4.7% 

4 San Luis Obispo, CA $218.93 $239.40 $214.58 1,402 15.30¢ -1.0% -10.4% 

5 Pasco, WA $216.29 $231.75 $198.38 1,119 17.73¢ -4.2% -14.4% 

6 Arcata/Eureka, CA $197.95 $200.93 $198.13 1,191 16.64¢ 0.0% -1.4% 

7 Redding, CA $200.49 $212.86 $195.25 984 19.85¢ -1.3% -8.3% 

8 Santa Barbara, CA $213.80 $207.96 $191.76 1,224 15.67¢ -5.3% -7.8% 

9 Fresno, CA $200.57 $208.35 $186.29 1,172 15.90¢ -3.6% -10.6% 

10 Monterey, CA $218.52 $213.79 $186.09 1,130 16.47¢ -7.7% -13.0% 

11 Palm Springs, CA $198.27 $198.78 $181.78 1,254 14.50¢ -4.2% -8.6% 

12 Yakima, WA $187.02 $194.48 $180.33 1,039 17.36¢ -1.8% -7.3% 

13 Eugene, OR $193.13 $200.55 $176.74 1,193 14.82¢ -4.3% -11.9% 

14 Los Angeles, CA $186.04 $190.82 $175.48 1,461 12.01¢ -2.9% -8.0% 

15 San Francisco, CA $210.27 $198.51 $173.18 1,432 12.09¢ -9.2% -12.8% 

16 Crescent City, CA $154.91 $178.43 $170.04 983 17.30¢ 4.8% -4.7% 

17 Santa Maria, CA $174.78 $186.85 $167.75 846 19.82¢ -2.0% -10.2% 

18 Wenatchee, WA $171.31 $178.79 $165.88 877 18.92¢ -1.6% -7.2% 

19 Medford, OR $191.91 $197.90 $164.67 1,034 15.92¢ -7.4% -16.8% 

20 Portland, OR $161.62 $168.56 $161.85 1,309 12.36¢ 0.1% -4.0% 

21 Walla Walla, WA $172.36 $181.15 $161.32 818 19.71¢ -3.3% -10.9% 

22 Klamath Falls, OR $200.40 $196.96 $160.09 949 16.87¢ -10.6% -18.7% 

23 Seattle/Tacoma, WA $175.22 $172.00 $159.76 1,365 11.70¢ -4.5% -7.1% 

24 North Bend, OR $177.72 $187.99 $159.06 893 17.81¢ -5.4% -15.4% 

25 Elko, NV $260.78 $167.75 $153.45 845 18.15¢ -23.3% -8.5% 

26 Pullman/Moscow , WA $173.17 $160.80 $153.22 768 19.96¢ -5.9% -4.7% 

27 Reno, NV $140.21 $150.96 $150.72 1,057 14.26¢ 3.7% -0.2% 

28 Redmond, OR $173.38 $173.50 $150.58 982 15.34¢ -6.8% -13.2% 

29 San Diego, CA $157.19 $162.23 $149.86 1,232 12.16¢ -2.4% -7.6% 

30 Spokane, WA $144.90 $149.62 $145.92 1,039 14.04¢ 0.4% -2.5% 

31 Carlsbad, CA $136.27 $157.75 $145.29 1,221 11.90¢ 3.3% -7.9% 

32 Modesto, CA $122.05 $161.61 $144.33 1,259 11.46¢ 8.7% -10.7% 

33 Sacramento, CA $140.85 $147.70 $142.65 1,065 13.39¢ 0.6% -3.4% 

34 Orange County, CA $158.58 $159.61 $140.76 1,020 13.80¢ -5.8% -11.8% 

35 Ontario, CA $141.02 $149.51 $140.02 982 14.26¢ -0.4% -6.3% 

36 Las Vegas, NV $136.65 $143.54 $135.40 1,183 11.45¢ -0.5% -5.7% 

37 San Jose, CA $140.22 $143.52 $133.88 1,019 13.14¢ -2.3% -6.7% 

38 Chico, CA $134.04 $138.50 $130.99 1,231 10.64¢ -1.1% -5.4% 

39 Burbank, CA $123.04 $129.83 $123.93 768 16.13¢ 0.4% -4.5% 

40 Oakland, CA $124.91 $129.04 $122.90 914 13.45¢ -0.8% -4.8% 

41 Santa Rosa, CA $119.19 $120.70 $116.82 564 20.71¢ -1.0% -3.2% 

42 Long Beach, CA $137.68 $126.70 $111.33 1,095 10.17¢ -10.1% -12.1% 

43 Mammoth Lakes, CA $0.00 $116.24 $104.95 405 25.93¢ 100.0% -9.7% 

44 Bellingham, WA $144.47 $124.60 $104.39 851 12.27¢ -15.0% -16.2% 

45 Las Vegas North, NV $85.55 $89.50 $89.50 172 52.03¢ 2.3% 0.0% 

46 Seattle Boeing Field, WA $46.83 $52.37 $57.30 89 64.73¢ 10.6% 9.4% 

47 Seattle Lake Union SPB, WA $52.51 $52.80 $50.72 78 65.40¢ -1.7% -3.9% 

48 Stockton, CA $55.75 $52.51 $49.28 365 13.50¢ -6.0% -6.2% 

49 Friday Harbor, WA $39.02 $45.54 $47.10 70 67.11¢ 9.9% 3.4% 

50 Port Angeles, WA $46.50 $46.50 $46.58 69 67.39¢ 0.1% 0.2% 

Average Regional Fare $160.39 $164.54 $152.77 1,359 11.40¢ -2.4% -7.2% 

Avg. Ann. Change

Rank

FIGURE 18: Top 50 Western Region Airports Ranked by Average Domestic Fare

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A  
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 47

FIGURE 19: Top 50 Western Region Airports Ranked by Average Domestic Yield

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A  

Itinerary Average

Airport YE 1Q 08 YE 1Q 09 YE 1Q 10 Mileage Fare 08-10 09-10

1 Port Angeles, WA 67.39¢ 67.39¢ 67.36¢ 69 $46.58 0.0% 0.0% 

2 Friday Harbor, WA 69.12¢ 67.11¢ 66.69¢ 71 $47.10 -1.8% -0.6% 

3 Seattle Lake Union SPB, WA 65.47¢ 65.40¢ 65.08¢ 78 $50.72 -0.3% -0.5% 

4 Seattle Boeing Field, WA 67.61¢ 64.73¢ 62.29¢ 92 $57.30 -4.0% -3.8% 

5 Las Vegas North, NV 52.74¢ 52.03¢ 52.03¢ 172 $89.50 -0.7% 0.0% 

6 Mammoth Lakes, CA 0.00¢ 25.93¢ 26.84¢ 391 $104.95 100.0% 3.5% 

7 Inyokern, CA 20.76¢ 26.08¢ 25.42¢ 1,723 $438.08 10.7% -2.5% 

8 Santa Rosa, CA 21.22¢ 20.71¢ 19.96¢ 585 $116.82 -3.0% -3.6% 

9 Oxnard/Ventura, CA 18.54¢ 21.08¢ 18.10¢ 1,522 $275.53 -1.2% -14.1% 

10 Pullman/Moscow , WA 20.52¢ 19.96¢ 17.83¢ 859 $153.22 -6.8% -10.7% 

11 Santa Maria, CA 17.65¢ 19.82¢ 17.25¢ 972 $167.75 -1.1% -13.0% 

12 Elko, NV 25.26¢ 18.15¢ 16.91¢ 907 $153.45 -18.2% -6.8% 

13 Redding, CA 18.56¢ 19.85¢ 16.79¢ 1,163 $195.25 -4.9% -15.4% 

14 Walla Walla, WA 18.76¢ 19.71¢ 15.92¢ 1,013 $161.32 -7.9% -19.2% 

15 Yakima, WA 16.04¢ 17.36¢ 15.88¢ 1,136 $180.33 -0.5% -8.5% 

16 Arcata/Eureka, CA 17.63¢ 16.64¢ 15.80¢ 1,254 $198.13 -5.3% -5.0% 

17 Wenatchee, WA 18.25¢ 18.92¢ 15.57¢ 1,065 $165.88 -7.6% -17.7% 

18 Burbank, CA 15.07¢ 16.13¢ 15.33¢ 808 $123.93 0.9% -5.0% 

19 Pasco, WA 16.70¢ 17.73¢ 15.09¢ 1,315 $198.38 -4.9% -14.9% 

20 Bakersfield, CA 15.98¢ 16.24¢ 15.03¢ 1,444 $217.08 -3.0% -7.5% 

21 Crescent City, CA 14.87¢ 17.30¢ 14.18¢ 1,199 $170.04 -2.3% -18.0% 

22 Santa Barbara, CA 16.16¢ 15.67¢ 13.85¢ 1,385 $191.76 -7.4% -11.6% 

23 Stockton, CA 13.84¢ 13.50¢ 13.73¢ 359 $49.28 -0.4% 1.7% 

24 San Luis Obispo, CA 14.67¢ 15.30¢ 13.72¢ 1,564 $214.58 -3.3% -10.3% 

25 Reno, NV 13.14¢ 14.26¢ 13.68¢ 1,102 $150.72 2.0% -4.1% 

26 Monterey, CA 16.80¢ 16.47¢ 13.65¢ 1,363 $186.09 -9.9% -17.1% 

27 Medford, OR 15.25¢ 15.92¢ 13.51¢ 1,219 $164.67 -5.9% -15.1% 

28 Palm Springs, CA 14.68¢ 14.50¢ 13.37¢ 1,360 $181.78 -4.6% -7.8% 

29 Eugene, OR 14.58¢ 14.82¢ 13.25¢ 1,334 $176.74 -4.7% -10.6% 

30 Spokane, WA 13.71¢ 14.04¢ 13.17¢ 1,108 $145.92 -2.0% -6.2% 

31 Fresno, CA 15.72¢ 15.90¢ 13.14¢ 1,418 $186.29 -8.6% -17.4% 

32 Redmond, OR 15.15¢ 15.34¢ 12.95¢ 1,163 $150.58 -7.5% -15.6% 

33 Ontario, CA 13.32¢ 14.26¢ 12.89¢ 1,086 $140.02 -1.6% -9.6% 

34 Oakland, CA 12.03¢ 13.45¢ 12.89¢ 953 $122.90 3.5% -4.2% 

35 Sacramento, CA 12.86¢ 13.39¢ 12.62¢ 1,130 $142.65 -0.9% -5.8% 

36 San Jose, CA 12.95¢ 13.14¢ 12.57¢ 1,065 $133.88 -1.5% -4.3% 

37 Orange County, CA 13.94¢ 13.80¢ 12.49¢ 1,127 $140.76 -5.3% -9.5% 

38 Portland, OR 12.06¢ 12.36¢ 11.63¢ 1,392 $161.85 -1.8% -5.9% 

39 North Bend, OR 19.32¢ 17.81¢ 11.52¢ 1,381 $159.06 -22.8% -35.3% 

40 San Diego, CA 11.77¢ 12.16¢ 11.10¢ 1,350 $149.86 -2.9% -8.7% 

41 Klamath Falls, OR 20.00¢ 16.87¢ 11.06¢ 1,447 $160.09 -25.6% -34.4% 

42 Los Angeles, CA 11.90¢ 12.01¢ 10.90¢ 1,610 $175.48 -4.3% -9.2% 

43 San Francisco, CA 12.38¢ 12.09¢ 10.76¢ 1,609 $173.18 -6.8% -11.0% 

44 Las Vegas, NV 10.93¢ 11.45¢ 10.75¢ 1,260 $135.40 -0.8% -6.1% 

45 Seattle/Tacoma, WA 11.88¢ 11.70¢ 10.71¢ 1,492 $159.76 -5.1% -8.5% 

46 Bellingham, WA 12.31¢ 12.27¢ 10.13¢ 1,031 $104.39 -9.3% -17.4% 

47 Carlsbad, CA 12.03¢ 11.90¢ 10.11¢ 1,437 $145.29 -8.3% -15.0% 

48 Modesto, CA 11.07¢ 11.46¢ 10.08¢ 1,432 $144.33 -4.6% -12.0% 

49 Chico, CA 10.97¢ 10.64¢ 9.55¢ 1,372 $130.99 -6.7% -10.2% 

50 Long Beach, CA 10.00¢ 10.17¢ 9.52¢ 1,169 $111.33 -2.4% -6.4% 

Average Regional Yield 12.20¢ 12.43¢ 11.40¢ 1,359 $169.58 -3.3% -8.3% 

Avg. Ann. Change

Rank
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 48

FIGURE 20: Top 50 Western Region Airports Ranked by Available Seats

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT T100 Data  

Outbound Percent of

Airport YE 1Q 08 YE 1Q 09 YE 1Q 10 Seats / Day YE 1Q 10 08-10 09-10

1 Los Angeles, CA 28,875,100 26,557,117 26,249,520 35,958.2 17.7% -4.7% -1.2% 

2 Las Vegas, NV 27,799,916 25,188,456 23,159,496 31,725.3 15.6% -8.7% -8.1% 

3 San Francisco, CA 17,335,557 18,101,726 18,460,924 25,288.9 12.4% 3.2% 2.0% 

4 Seattle/Tacoma, WA 18,463,207 18,579,097 17,414,770 23,855.8 11.7% -2.9% -6.3% 

5 San Diego, CA 12,140,434 11,626,761 10,721,183 14,686.6 7.2% -6.0% -7.8% 

6 Portland, OR 9,349,042 8,760,281 8,065,236 11,048.3 5.4% -7.1% -7.9% 

7 Oakland, CA 10,178,181 7,863,478 6,781,230 9,289.4 4.6% -18.4% -13.8% 

8 Sacramento, CA 7,293,376 6,482,905 6,007,766 8,229.8 4.0% -9.2% -7.3% 

9 Orange County, CA 6,645,238 5,931,288 5,917,097 8,105.6 4.0% -5.6% -0.2% 

10 San Jose, CA 7,389,411 6,742,386 5,850,661 8,014.6 3.9% -11.0% -13.2% 

11 Burbank, CA 4,274,596 3,849,800 3,446,188 4,720.8 2.3% -10.2% -10.5% 

12 Ontario, CA 5,054,333 3,875,691 3,392,524 4,647.3 2.3% -18.1% -12.5% 

13 Reno, NV 3,655,429 3,091,146 2,608,538 3,573.3 1.8% -15.5% -15.6% 

14 Spokane, WA 2,414,652 2,182,602 2,001,172 2,741.3 1.3% -9.0% -8.3% 

15 Long Beach, CA 1,825,379 1,853,633 1,824,730 2,499.6 1.2% 0.0% -1.6% 

16 Palm Springs, CA 997,069 901,547 894,126 1,224.8 0.6% -5.3% -0.8% 

17 Fresno, CA 912,432 772,280 752,650 1,031.0 0.5% -9.2% -2.5% 

18 Santa Barbara, CA 624,821 586,475 549,468 752.7 0.4% -6.2% -6.3% 

19 Eugene, OR 543,968 482,762 487,281 667.5 0.3% -5.4% 0.9% 

20 Medford, OR 458,146 435,269 425,732 583.2 0.3% -3.6% -2.2% 

21 Bellingham, WA 352,021 376,361 417,228 571.5 0.3% 8.9% 10.9% 

22 Pasco, WA 352,828 342,866 400,072 548.0 0.3% 6.5% 16.7% 

23 Redmond, OR 373,744 347,942 354,345 485.4 0.2% -2.6% 1.8% 

24 Monterey, CA 350,945 294,347 279,166 382.4 0.2% -10.8% -5.2% 

25 Arcata/Eureka, CA 188,274 198,454 178,448 244.4 0.1% -2.6% -10.1% 

26 San Luis Obispo, CA 250,168 198,486 170,086 233.0 0.1% -17.5% -14.3% 

27 Bakersfield, CA 239,183 195,464 160,178 219.4 0.1% -18.2% -18.1% 

28 Redding, CA 160,256 148,234 150,495 206.2 0.1% -3.1% 1.5% 

29 Santa Rosa, CA 100,432 141,700 132,071 180.9 0.1% 14.7% -6.8% 

30 Pullman/Moscow , WA 64,027 121,508 114,830 157.3 0.1% 33.9% -5.5% 

31 Yakima, WA 114,233 113,531 107,938 147.9 0.1% -2.8% -4.9% 

32 Boulder City, NV 78,712 20,977 107,827 147.7 0.1% 17.0% 414.0% 

33 Wenatchee, WA 62,014 77,119 80,644 110.5 0.1% 14.0% 4.6% 

34 Walla Walla, WA 39,545 53,074 70,913 97.1 0.0% 33.9% 33.6% 

35 Santa Maria, CA 84,494 75,763 66,142 90.6 0.0% -11.5% -12.7% 

36 Seattle Boeing Field, WA 55,352 56,841 63,550 87.1 0.0% 7.1% 11.8% 

37 Carlsbad, CA 80,411 66,891 63,254 86.6 0.0% -11.3% -5.4% 

38 Friday Harbor, WA 62,612 60,729 62,839 86.1 0.0% 0.2% 3.5% 

39 Modesto, CA 88,180 57,420 48,280 66.1 0.0% -26.0% -15.9% 

40 Klamath Falls, OR 42,587 45,626 43,140 59.1 0.0% 0.6% -5.4% 

41 Elko, NV 54,818 45,249 42,090 57.7 0.0% -12.4% -7.0% 

42 Chico, CA 40,080 41,154 40,560 55.6 0.0% 0.6% -1.4% 

43 North Bend, OR 51,120 50,868 37,889 51.9 0.0% -13.9% -25.5% 

44 Seattle Lake Union SPB, WA 46,456 31,379 36,819 50.4 0.0% -11.0% 17.3% 

45 Eastsound, WA 32,318 32,909 34,389 47.1 0.0% 3.2% 4.5% 

46 Las Vegas North, NV 90 33,720 33,630 46.1 0.0% 1833.0% -0.3% 

47 Oxnard/Ventura, CA 40,110 37,290 33,090 45.3 0.0% -9.2% -11.3% 

48 Stockton, CA 45,163 35,380 33,036 45.3 0.0% -14.5% -6.6% 

49 Crescent City, CA 30,180 30,720 29,619 40.6 0.0% -0.9% -3.6% 

50 Mammoth Lakes, CA 0 7,448 29,494 40.4 0.0% 100.0% 296.0% 

Total of Above 169,710,640 157,204,150 148,432,354 203,332.0 99.8% -6.5% -5.6% 

Total Seats Available 170,057,940 157,503,810 148,700,363 203,699.1 100.0% -6.5% -5.6% 

Rank

Avg. Ann. Change
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 49

FIGURE 21: Top 50 Western Region Airports Ranked by Onboard Passengers

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT T100 Data  

Outbound Percent of

Airport YE 1Q 08 YE 1Q 09 YE 1Q 10 Paxs / Day YE 1Q 10 08-10 09-10

1 Los Angeles, CA 22,279,539 20,587,973 20,887,549 28,613.1 18.1% -3.2% 1.5% 

2 Las Vegas, NV 21,985,134 19,739,820 18,639,442 25,533.5 16.2% -7.9% -5.6% 

3 San Francisco, CA 13,545,830 14,123,765 14,961,419 20,495.1 13.0% 5.1% 5.9% 

4 Seattle/Tacoma, WA 14,661,425 14,404,419 14,130,676 19,357.1 12.2% -1.8% -1.9% 

5 San Diego, CA 9,356,928 8,822,947 8,548,071 11,709.7 7.4% -4.4% -3.1% 

6 Portland, OR 7,161,909 6,621,344 6,296,721 8,625.6 5.5% -6.2% -4.9% 

7 Oakland, CA 7,185,157 5,226,142 4,753,481 6,511.6 4.1% -18.7% -9.0% 

8 Sacramento, CA 5,428,601 4,802,533 4,546,802 6,228.5 3.9% -8.5% -5.3% 

9 Orange County, CA 4,930,592 4,312,796 4,389,889 6,013.5 3.8% -5.6% 1.8% 

10 San Jose, CA 5,273,232 4,610,816 4,133,926 5,662.9 3.6% -11.5% -10.3% 

11 Ontario, CA 3,566,669 2,767,209 2,422,653 3,318.7 2.1% -17.6% -12.5% 

12 Burbank, CA 3,023,934 2,553,805 2,337,907 3,202.6 2.0% -12.1% -8.5% 

13 Reno, NV 2,573,959 2,100,808 1,904,053 2,608.3 1.6% -14.0% -9.4% 

14 Spokane, WA 1,773,390 1,630,531 1,497,255 2,051.0 1.3% -8.1% -8.2% 

15 Long Beach, CA 1,410,912 1,426,206 1,392,908 1,908.1 1.2% -0.6% -2.3% 

16 Palm Springs, CA 753,310 678,804 666,177 912.6 0.6% -6.0% -1.9% 

17 Fresno, CA 623,113 549,781 547,948 750.6 0.5% -6.2% -0.3% 

18 Santa Barbara, CA 422,106 403,725 377,311 516.9 0.3% -5.5% -6.5% 

19 Bellingham, WA 257,246 281,503 349,065 478.2 0.3% 16.5% 24.0% 

20 Eugene, OR 396,186 331,570 346,217 474.3 0.3% -6.5% 4.4% 

21 Medford, OR 317,689 291,088 306,049 419.2 0.3% -1.8% 5.1% 

22 Pasco, WA 257,757 243,881 281,547 385.7 0.2% 4.5% 15.4% 

23 Redmond, OR 259,983 228,968 231,405 317.0 0.2% -5.7% 1.1% 

24 Monterey, CA 222,577 201,262 192,457 263.6 0.2% -7.0% -4.4% 

25 San Luis Obispo, CA 179,495 139,421 118,163 161.9 0.1% -18.9% -15.2% 

26 Arcata/Eureka, CA 116,179 118,636 108,421 148.5 0.1% -3.4% -8.6% 

27 Bakersfield, CA 154,007 127,275 103,211 141.4 0.1% -18.1% -18.9% 

28 Santa Rosa, CA 71,159 102,727 101,819 139.5 0.1% 19.6% -0.9% 

29 Redding, CA 104,760 89,717 93,886 128.6 0.1% -5.3% 4.6% 

30 Boulder City, NV 52,209 16,820 86,355 118.3 0.1% 28.6% 413.4% 

31 Pullman/Moscow , WA 41,449 62,927 62,291 85.3 0.1% 22.6% -1.0% 

32 Yakima, WA 80,691 66,775 58,626 80.3 0.1% -14.8% -12.2% 

33 Wenatchee, WA 49,652 48,451 49,251 67.5 0.0% -0.4% 1.7% 

34 Santa Maria, CA 55,248 49,292 44,032 60.3 0.0% -10.7% -10.7% 

35 Walla Walla, WA 29,883 31,748 33,493 45.9 0.0% 5.9% 5.5% 

36 Seattle Boeing Field, WA 34,198 31,255 33,421 45.8 0.0% -1.1% 6.9% 

37 Stockton, CA 35,267 31,501 29,198 40.0 0.0% -9.0% -7.3% 

38 Las Vegas North, NV 44 29,314 27,932 38.3 0.0% 2419.6% -4.7% 

39 Carlsbad, CA 44,516 31,671 25,017 34.3 0.0% -25.0% -21.0% 

40 Modesto, CA 48,641 31,105 24,543 33.6 0.0% -29.0% -21.1% 

41 Chico, CA 25,587 24,468 23,098 31.6 0.0% -5.0% -5.6% 

42 Seattle Lake Union SPB, WA 25,158 20,592 22,163 30.4 0.0% -6.1% 7.6% 

43 North Bend, OR 38,771 32,513 21,790 29.8 0.0% -25.0% -33.0% 

44 Friday Harbor, WA 23,391 20,796 21,473 29.4 0.0% -4.2% 3.3% 

45 Elko, NV 28,314 23,587 20,792 28.5 0.0% -14.3% -11.8% 

46 Klamath Falls, OR 29,768 24,230 20,352 27.9 0.0% -17.3% -16.0% 

47 Mammoth Lakes, CA 0 4,431 15,557 21.3 0.0% 100.0% 251.1% 

48 Port Angeles, WA 13,889 11,505 12,768 17.5 0.0% -4.1% 11.0% 

49 Crescent City, CA 13,058 11,786 11,471 15.7 0.0% -6.3% -2.7% 

50 Oxnard/Ventura, CA 20,522 14,904 11,106 15.2 0.0% -26.4% -25.5% 

Total of Above 128,983,034 118,139,143 115,321,157 157,974.2 99.9% -5.4% -2.4% 

Total Onboard Passengers 129,128,512 118,254,978 115,406,398 158,091.0 100.0% -5.5% -2.4% 

Avg. Ann. Change

Rank
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 50

FIGURE 22: Top 50 Western Region Airports Ranked by O&D Passengers

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A  

PDEW Percent of

Airport YE 1Q 08 YE 1Q 09 YE 1Q 10 YE 1Q 10 YE 1Q 10 08-10 09-10

1 Los Angeles, CA 31,550,020 29,200,240 29,368,940 80,462.8 16.1% -3.5% 0.6% 

2 Las Vegas, NV 32,948,370 29,668,740 28,521,060 78,139.9 15.6% -7.0% -3.9% 

3 San Francisco, CA 18,513,660 19,936,850 21,473,470 58,831.4 11.8% 7.7% 7.7% 

4 Seattle/Tacoma, WA 20,839,970 20,358,130 19,809,920 54,273.8 10.9% -2.5% -2.7% 

5 San Diego, CA 16,564,250 15,483,580 14,972,320 41,020.1 8.2% -4.9% -3.3% 

6 Portland, OR 11,458,980 10,591,240 10,136,200 27,770.4 5.6% -5.9% -4.3% 

7 Oakland, CA 13,012,000 9,522,510 8,465,420 23,192.9 4.6% -19.3% -11.1% 

8 Orange County, CA 9,334,190 8,223,580 8,407,980 23,035.6 4.6% -5.1% 2.2% 

9 Sacramento, CA 9,869,170 8,750,540 8,162,940 22,364.2 4.5% -9.1% -6.7% 

10 San Jose, CA 9,617,380 8,407,780 7,530,600 20,631.8 4.1% -11.5% -10.4% 

11 Ontario, CA 6,680,130 5,302,020 4,597,880 12,596.9 2.5% -17.0% -13.3% 

12 Burbank, CA 5,833,950 4,970,480 4,507,510 12,349.3 2.5% -12.1% -9.3% 

13 Reno, NV 4,370,210 3,604,320 3,282,090 8,992.0 1.8% -13.3% -8.9% 

14 Spokane, WA 3,237,500 3,010,980 2,780,600 7,618.1 1.5% -7.3% -7.7% 

15 Long Beach, CA 2,676,280 2,703,720 2,607,330 7,143.4 1.4% -1.3% -3.6% 

16 Palm Springs, CA 1,339,000 1,198,250 1,176,690 3,223.8 0.6% -6.3% -1.8% 

17 Fresno, CA 1,095,980 975,510 972,240 2,663.7 0.5% -5.8% -0.3% 

18 Bellingham, WA 477,060 533,330 670,690 1,837.5 0.4% 18.6% 25.8% 

19 Santa Barbara, CA 750,360 716,210 663,370 1,817.5 0.4% -6.0% -7.4% 

20 Eugene, OR 689,630 586,250 612,030 1,676.8 0.3% -5.8% 4.4% 

21 Medford, OR 572,850 504,940 535,790 1,467.9 0.3% -3.3% 6.1% 

22 Pasco, WA 458,880 428,810 495,920 1,358.7 0.3% 4.0% 15.7% 

23 Redmond, OR 453,740 402,310 398,950 1,093.0 0.2% -6.2% -0.8% 

24 Monterey, CA 392,130 355,310 346,040 948.1 0.2% -6.1% -2.6% 

25 San Luis Obispo, CA 322,590 250,490 217,130 594.9 0.1% -18.0% -13.3% 

26 Arcata/Eureka, CA 196,030 200,700 185,830 509.1 0.1% -2.6% -7.4% 

27 Bakersfield, CA 285,180 227,630 185,380 507.9 0.1% -19.4% -18.6% 

28 Santa Rosa, CA 133,470 191,350 175,410 480.6 0.1% 14.6% -8.3% 

29 Yakima, WA 138,940 113,710 100,380 275.0 0.1% -15.0% -11.7% 

30 Redding, CA 115,000 105,190 93,990 257.5 0.1% -9.6% -10.6% 

31 Wenatchee, WA 89,330 84,830 86,670 237.5 0.0% -1.5% 2.2% 

32 Santa Maria, CA 107,300 92,630 84,060 230.3 0.0% -11.5% -9.3% 

33 Pullman/Moscow , WA 46,400 58,860 60,680 166.2 0.0% 14.4% 3.1% 

34 Walla Walla, WA 55,620 56,050 58,840 161.2 0.0% 2.9% 5.0% 

35 Seattle Boeing Field, WA 18,550 53,070 58,670 160.7 0.0% 77.8% 10.6% 

36 Stockton, CA 68,030 61,370 56,440 154.6 0.0% -8.9% -8.0% 

37 Modesto, CA 116,370 61,850 50,340 137.9 0.0% -34.2% -18.6% 

38 Carlsbad, CA 102,230 58,710 47,220 129.4 0.0% -32.0% -19.6% 

39 Chico, CA 61,570 47,870 45,320 124.2 0.0% -14.2% -5.3% 

40 North Bend, OR 71,070 63,660 44,490 121.9 0.0% -20.9% -30.1% 

41 Klamath Falls, OR 55,380 48,070 40,380 110.6 0.0% -14.6% -16.0% 

42 Elko, NV 30,490 39,790 35,760 98.0 0.0% 8.3% -10.1% 

43 Friday Harbor, WA 11,300 25,910 25,700 70.4 0.0% 50.8% -0.8% 

44 Port Angeles, WA 9,300 21,530 24,440 67.0 0.0% 62.1% 13.5% 

45 Seattle Lake Union SPB, WA 5,850 21,710 24,430 66.9 0.0% 104.4% 12.5% 

46 Mammoth Lakes, CA 0 8,920 23,900 65.5 0.0% 100.0% 167.9% 

47 Crescent City, CA 32,090 23,550 21,800 59.7 0.0% -17.6% -7.4% 

48 Oxnard/Ventura, CA 38,220 28,790 21,620 59.2 0.0% -24.8% -24.9% 

49 Inyokern, CA 23,420 21,430 21,220 58.1 0.0% -4.8% -1.0% 

50 Las Vegas North, NV 190 16,680 16,230 44.5 0.0% 824.2% -2.7% 

Top 50 Airports 204,869,610 187,419,980 182,302,310 499,458.4 100.0% -5.7% -2.7% 

Total Regional Passengers 205,080,180 187,522,600 182,371,100 499,646.8 100.0% -5.7% -2.7% 

Avg. Ann. Change

Rank
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 51

FIGURE 23: Top 50 Western Region Airports Ranked by O&D Revenue

YE1Q10; Source: US DOT Table DB1A  

RDEW Percent of

Airport YE 1Q 08 YE 1Q 09 YE 1Q 10 YE 1Q 10 YE 1Q 10 08-10 09-10

1 Los Angeles, CA $5,412,914 $5,143,132 $4,772,463 $6,538 124.3% -6.1% -7.2% 

2 Las Vegas, NV $4,246,314 $4,004,182 $3,632,705 $4,976 94.6% -7.5% -9.3% 

3 San Francisco, CA $3,551,251 $3,632,003 $3,442,105 $4,715 89.6% -1.5% -5.2% 

4 Seattle/Tacoma, WA $3,367,558 $3,229,313 $2,943,834 $4,033 76.7% -6.5% -8.8% 

5 San Diego, CA $2,421,808 $2,334,287 $2,093,436 $2,868 54.5% -7.0% -10.3% 

6 Portland, OR $1,715,236 $1,643,737 $1,517,419 $2,079 39.5% -5.9% -7.7% 

7 Orange County, CA $1,374,150 $1,209,832 $1,101,586 $1,509 28.7% -10.5% -8.9% 

8 Sacramento, CA $1,306,716 $1,211,565 $1,091,154 $1,495 28.4% -8.6% -9.9% 

9 Oakland, CA $1,531,700 $1,146,781 $975,991 $1,337 25.4% -20.2% -14.9% 

10 San Jose, CA $1,272,311 $1,133,772 $950,869 $1,303 24.8% -13.6% -16.1% 

11 Ontario, CA $890,798 $745,096 $606,559 $831 15.8% -17.5% -18.6% 

12 Burbank, CA $678,489 $605,407 $526,570 $721 13.7% -11.9% -13.0% 

13 Reno, NV $570,487 $502,272 $456,756 $626 11.9% -10.5% -9.1% 

14 Spokane, WA $440,568 $419,576 $377,805 $518 9.8% -7.4% -10.0% 

15 Long Beach, CA $356,195 $329,922 $278,827 $382 7.3% -11.5% -15.5% 

16 Palm Springs, CA $235,038 $209,156 $189,800 $260 4.9% -10.1% -9.3% 

17 Fresno, CA $205,477 $189,112 $170,015 $233 4.4% -9.0% -10.1% 

18 Santa Barbara, CA $144,017 $134,482 $114,591 $157 3.0% -10.8% -14.8% 

19 Eugene, OR $121,066 $104,846 $98,198 $135 2.6% -9.9% -6.3% 

20 Pasco, WA $92,063 $91,820 $91,572 $125 2.4% -0.3% -0.3% 

21 Medford, OR $99,246 $89,197 $81,035 $111 2.1% -9.6% -9.2% 

22 Bellingham, WA $65,595 $63,520 $68,137 $93 1.8% 1.9% 7.3% 

23 Monterey, CA $79,222 $70,341 $59,067 $81 1.5% -13.7% -16.0% 

24 Redmond, OR $71,006 $61,712 $53,895 $74 1.4% -12.9% -12.7% 

25 San Luis Obispo, CA $64,328 $54,785 $43,196 $59 1.1% -18.1% -21.2% 

26 Bakersfield, CA $58,971 $49,992 $38,558 $53 1.0% -19.1% -22.9% 

27 Arcata/Eureka, CA $35,679 $37,308 $33,740 $46 0.9% -2.8% -9.6% 

28 Santa Rosa, CA $15,466 $22,325 $19,787 $27 0.5% 13.1% -11.4% 

29 Yakima, WA $24,410 $20,218 $16,724 $23 0.4% -17.2% -17.3% 

30 Redding, CA $21,314 $20,345 $16,694 $23 0.4% -11.5% -17.9% 

31 Santa Maria, CA $18,025 $16,598 $13,529 $19 0.4% -13.4% -18.5% 

32 Wenatchee, WA $14,230 $13,756 $12,903 $18 0.3% -4.8% -6.2% 

33 Inyokern, CA $7,701 $8,712 $8,670 $12 0.2% 6.1% -0.5% 

34 Walla Walla, WA $8,913 $9,161 $8,513 $12 0.2% -2.3% -7.1% 

35 Pullman/Moscow , WA $7,500 $8,617 $8,427 $12 0.2% 6.0% -2.2% 

36 North Bend, OR $12,090 $11,155 $6,625 $9 0.2% -26.0% -40.6% 

37 Modesto, CA $12,698 $8,787 $6,404 $9 0.2% -29.0% -27.1% 

38 Klamath Falls, OR $10,455 $8,814 $6,168 $8 0.2% -23.2% -30.0% 

39 Carlsbad, CA $11,557 $7,101 $5,669 $8 0.1% -30.0% -20.2% 

40 Oxnard/Ventura, CA $9,396 $8,109 $5,271 $7 0.1% -25.1% -35.0% 

41 Elko, NV $7,719 $6,495 $5,266 $7 0.1% -17.4% -18.9% 

42 Chico, CA $7,320 $5,791 $5,260 $7 0.1% -15.2% -9.2% 

43 Seattle Boeing Field, WA $869 $2,779 $3,362 $5 0.1% 96.7% 21.0% 

44 Crescent City, CA $4,288 $3,702 $3,222 $4 0.1% -13.3% -13.0% 

45 Stockton, CA $3,764 $3,191 $2,762 $4 0.1% -14.3% -13.4% 

46 Mammoth Lakes, CA $0 $1,029 $2,464 $3 0.1% 100.0% 139.5% 

47 Imperial, CA $2,676 $1,867 $1,454 $2 0.0% -26.3% -22.1% 

48 Las Vegas North, NV $16 $1,493 $1,453 $2 0.0% 845.2% -2.7% 

49 Seattle Lake Union SPB, WA $307 $1,146 $1,239 $2 0.0% 100.8% 8.1% 

50 Friday Harbor, WA $441 $1,180 $1,210 $2 0.0% 65.7% 2.6% 

Top 50 Airports $30,609,359 $28,639,519 $25,972,960 $5,198 100.0% -7.9% -9.3% 

Total Regional Revenue $30,629,995 $28,650,787 $25,978,238 $5,260 100.0% -7.9% -9.3% 

Avg. Ann. Change

Rank
Del Norte County Regional Airport – Small Community Air Service Development Grant – August 2010 52

CONCLUSIONS 

The Del Norte County Regional Airport in Crescent City, California is in the midst of its first major 

change in its service pattern in a decade. This fall, SkyWest/United Express – the only carrier 

serving the Airport and the region – will shift its service from two destinations to just one. At the 

same time the community will lose four departures per week and 110 weekly departing seats. 

Direct service to Sacramento will be ended. While the Airport will gain two flights per week to 

and from San Francisco, it will still set a net loss of eight flights in and out. 

At the same time the Del Norte County Regional Airport is dealing with a major service pattern 

change, it is also dealing with its highest average airfares in several years. The average airfare in 

the Crescent City market rose by 27% in the last year, an increase of $36 each way, or $72 

roundtrip between the year ended first quarter 2009 and the year ended first quarter 2010. 

Additionally, Crescent City has the 

second highest average one way fare 

of all airports in northern California and 

southern Oregon as of the year ended 

first quarter 2010. 

Because of these challenges, now is 

the right time for the proposed 

advertising and marketing campaign. 

The Airport must do all it can to publicize and market this service change and make the 

additional San Francisco service attractive to local passengers. If the Airport cannot adequately 

explain the service change through a major media campaign, it is likely the loss of seats and 

flights in the market will lead to increased leakage, less use of the local airport, and a higher per 

passenger subsidy under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. 

“If the Airport cannot adequately 

explain the service change through a 

major media campaign, it is likely the 

loss of seats and flights in the market will 

lead to increased leakage...”