WARRENTON – After a 10-year absence, daily direct commercial air service between the North Coast and Portland returned Sunday. As the tiny nine-passenger, single-engine Pilatus PC-12 plane touched down at the Astoria Regional Airport, the crowd of approximately 150 that showed up to greet SeaPort Airlines’ inaugural flight from Portland International Airport erupted into applause and cheers.

A $3.6 million Connect/Oregon II grant and federal funding enabled SeaPort to begin air service between Astoria and Portland, as well as Newport and Portland. But whether local air service keeps flying will be up to local residents and travelers, was the message repeated by politicians, Port of Astoria leaders, company executives and other speakers during the festivities.

“The future is in your hands. It’s up to you to decide whether scheduled air service succeeds,” Kent Craford, the CEO of SeaPort, told the crowd gathered in Lektro’s hangar. The event was moved indoors after storm winds blew away the tent set up to house the activities.

“Now the challenge is for us to fill their planes and make this happen,” said Mark Ellsworth from Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s office.

State Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, whom many singled out for her role in obtaining the air service, called on “everyone in this room” to book flights and to encourage others to do the same. She pointed out that air service is critical to connect rural Oregon to the rest of the world and turn around the sagging economy and revitalize tourism.

“One mile of highway gets you across town, but one mile of runway gets you anywhere in the world,” Johnson said.

The interior of the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft offers some luxury as well as efficient use of space. SeaPort Airlines is operating the PC-12 in a commuter configuration. The PC-12 is a Swiss-built aircraft and one of the most popular business planes in the world.Astoria to Portland is about a half-hour flight.

Photo by HUGH McKENNA – For The Daily AstorianJerry Phillips, a city councilor from Long Beach, Wash., who was in the audience, commented that air service in Astoria will also benefit the Long Beach Peninsula. Travelers who visit Astoria tend to also come over to the peninsula, and vice versa, he said, adding that he believes in communities working together as a region.

State Rep. Brad Witt, D-Clatskanie, said the service “truly was an all-weather airline” – a reference to the soggy weather and less than optimum flying conditions. In addition to convenience, the service is a bargain when compared to the cost of a motel and airport parking, and it’s more convenient.

Loran Mathews of Astoria said that he would certainly check the SeaPort connections when planning a trip.

SeaPort Airlines operates Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. The PC-12 is a Swiss-built pressurized turbine aircraft typically found in corporate aviation but used by SeaPort Airlines in a commuter configuration. The world’s best-selling turbine business aircraft, the PC-12 can shuttle passengers with comfort and speed previously available just to the jet-set.

Photo by HUGH McKENNA – For The Daily AstorianHistorically, regular passenger air service between Astoria and Portland has been hit and miss. The last, Harbor Airlines, operated for just two years before shutting down in the late 1990s. SeaPort will provide three flights a day to Portland, departing at 6:30 a.m., 10:25 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Clatsop County Commissioner and retired sheriff John Raichl provided some levity to the ceremonies. After making the dutiful welcoming comments, Raichl, who is often kidded for his long blond locks, offered to fill in if the World War II-era wind direction instruments at the airport fail. He said he’d stand out on the runway and let his blowing hair indicate the direction of the wind.