September 14, 2009
Welcome to I Fly Nonstop
As a member of Portland’s International Air Service Committee, it is important for the Port of Portland to actively work with fellow committee members to retain and recruit nonstop international air passenger service at Portland International Airport. Frankly, in this tough economic climate, I feel unbelievably fortunate that we are still in the game with our nonstops to Tokyo and Amsterdam.
Bill Wyatt, Port of Portland
Portland is one of only 12 U.S. cities with nonstop service to both Europe and Asia and we are the smallest of the 12. It will take work to retain these essential connections.
That is why we recently launched this blog and initiated a Facebook page. Our goal is to begin creating a larger community dialogue about the importance of our international nonstops and to show to our airline partners that, though we are a small market, we are a feisty one, and we will do all we can to keep and grow international air service.
We hope that by logging on, entering a comment or joining us a Facebook fan that you will be part of this dialogue and of the overall effort. More importantly, I encourage anyone who is traveling to Europe or Asia to consider taking our international nonstops. Your support can mean so much in keeping these critical global connections right here—serving Portland, the state and our region.
Why should you care? Because these flights contribute to the cultural and international exchanges that enrich lives and help our economy. And, they save you valuable time.
From an economic standpoint, our international flights generate about $141 million in economic impacts–bolstering our local hotel, restaurant and entertainment industries. Estimates are that travelers to and from Europe and Asia have nearly doubled in our region since these nonstops began. Whether hosting a foreign visitor here, traveling overseas to meet with customers, see relatives or explore the world, the ability to easily get to and from foreign destinations is part of what makes our region so special.
One of the things I appreciate most when I travel on our nonstops is the time that it saves. I often use that time to acclimate myself and physically and mentally prepare for the meetings I have scheduled. This usually includes a 30-minute run and one of my favorite courses is around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Running around the sublime and peaceful setting of the Imperial Palace juxtaposed against the steel and glass towers that now define Tokyo at 6 in the morning is just the way to start the day. If you have a favorite run or other activity you use to shake off the effects of overseas travel and take advantage of the time you’ve saved on our nonstops I’d love to hear about it as part of this new dialogue we are creating. You just may help convince some others who may not use our nonstops to join us in this important effort. Thanks for checking us out!
Bill Wyatt
Executive Director, Port of Portland
Co-Chair, International Air Service Committee
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