Could Bremerton National become a Regional Airport ?
October 20th, 2009 by Cary BozemanWarning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
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The Bremerton National Airport is one of the oldest airfields in
the state having been opened in the 1930s. Airmail service was
flown out of Bremerton National in the 30s and the airfield was
taken over by the U.S. Navy in the 40s to provide support and
protection for the shipyard. After the war the FAA turned the
airfield over to the Port of Bremerton who then named it Bremerton
National.
Today the 6000 foot runway is home to 200 private owners who store
and fly their planes out of Bremerton National. About seven years
ago a small airline tried to offer passinger service out of
Bremerton direct to SeaTac airport. The effort lasted about a year
and was shut down because of not enough paying customers.
The question today is what should Bremerton National plan on
becoming in the next 20 years. Should it stay the same or should it
plan to grow, attracting jet air service and becoming the home for
private jet aircraft. Would it be possible to get jet service out
of Bremerton National to other cities in the northwest such as
Portland and Spokane. I believe that is possible and could happen
in the next ten years. We believe we are about to receive a good
size grant to do a long range plan for our airport which will set
the direction for the airport for the next 20 years. We just
completed repaving our entire runway with a 5 million dollar grant
which will provide us with a high quality runway for the next 20
years. Stayed tuned as we make plans for the future of Bremerton
National.
This blog is written and moderated by Port of Bremerton CEO Cary Bozeman.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
October 20th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Would love to see regional air service out of Bremerton National! It would be great to be able to hop a plane to Vancouver or Portland. If the area demanded it, would also be nice to be able to fly to Las Vegas or San Francisco! Go with the growth plan!! Thanks!
October 20th, 2009 at 11:49 am
This idea and conversation comes up every few years in a pretty consistent rotation. The problem is that they can never make it “fly” (pun intended)as a successful profitable venture. Oh sure like Jason says it would be fun for those of us from here to be able to catch a flight locally for exciting destinations such as Las Vegas or San Francisco. The problem is that too few want to come from these exciting places to here. We frankly have little to offer, that can not be more easily had elsewhere in the pacific northwest region, as a county or as a peninsula. Until we have several things that make us unique and desired as a certified travel destination this type of venture will just keep on being an idea that never really fly.
October 20th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
The plan for a possible regional airport sounds good. With all the growth that will inevitably happen in our area, it makes sense, especially for the folks living across the Hood Canal.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
In the late 60′s and early 70′s, Bremerton National Airport had commercial flights in and out of it. Some were even international, from Canada and Mexico. I would love to see that happen again – especially flights to and from California and Arizona.
At the same time period, Bellingham had a small airport and they have grown that airport … the Bremerton National Airport should look to them and study what they did so that we can have commercial flights in and out of Bremerton.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Would love to see service to SeaTac return. Of course they would have to add long term parking for the passengers or it wouldn’t work for many.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Whatever we do, don’t get rid of it. It exists. The NIMBYs won’t allow any other airport to be built so we absolutely must hang onto this one.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
hopes for the airport died with a Nascar track
October 20th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Be sure to buy a huge buffer zone. Small airports are frequently shut down by “victims” who move in after the airport is established and then whine about the noise. We have too many lawyers!
October 21st, 2009 at 7:52 am
This could be a very positive element in a regional growth plan, facilitating contractor visits to Naval facilities and making it easier for local businesses to reach out to new customers. Good luck with it.