Avelo’s West Coast Exit Ends Commercial Service at Salem Airport

SALEM, Ore. (Jan. 3, 2026) — Salem Municipal Airport has lost its federalized status after Avelo Airlines ended all West Coast operations, leaving the airport without scheduled commercial passenger service and prompting the withdrawal of federal security screening.

Federalization refers to the presence of Transportation Security Administration officers and federally required passenger screening, which is mandatory for airports serving scheduled commercial flights. With Avelo discontinuing its Salem service, the airport no longer met federal criteria, leading the TSA to remove its staffing and equipment.

Avelo had been Salem’s only commercial airline, offering limited nonstop service primarily to Southern California. Earlier this year, the low-cost carrier announced it would exit all West Coast airports as part of a broader strategic shift, citing profitability challenges, aircraft redeployment needs, and a renewed focus on routes in other regions of the country.

The airline’s departure eliminated Salem’s eligibility for federal security funding and infrastructure tied to commercial passenger screening. Airport officials say restoring federalized status would require a new airline committing to scheduled service and subsequent federal approvals — a process that can take months or longer.

Avelo also exited Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport, but the impact there was significantly less pronounced. Medford continues to be served by multiple commercial carriers, preserving both passenger access and its federalized status. Several airlines operate at the airport, including low-cost carrier Allegiant Air, which offers nonstop flights from Medford to Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), Santa Ana (SNA), Phoenix-Mesa (AZA), and other destinations.

With Salem no longer federally commercial, only five airports in Oregon retain federalized commercial service: Portland International Airport, Eugene Airport, Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport, Redmond Municipal Airport, and Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend.

Salem Municipal Airport will continue to operate as a general aviation facility, supporting private and corporate aircraft, military training flights, medical transport, wildfire response, and flight instruction. Officials stress that the loss of federalization does not close the airport or diminish its role in emergency and aviation services, but it does eliminate passenger airline access for the Mid-Willamette Valley.

The situation underscores the vulnerability of smaller regional airports that rely on a single carrier for commercial service. Aviation analysts say rising operating costs, pilot shortages, limited aircraft availability, and airlines’ focus on higher-demand routes have made service to smaller markets increasingly difficult to sustain.

Local and state officials say they will continue exploring opportunities to restore commercial air service to Salem, though no timeline has been announced.