Despite the latest COVID-19 variant threatening to derail travel plans, an airline is betting more Portland travelers will be back in the air this summer.
Portland International Airport is adding a direct flight to London’s Heathrow Airport starting on June 3. British Airways plans to carry passengers between Portland and London five times a week.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for folks … to head over to London and all points beyond,” said Kama Simonds, a spokeswoman with PDX, noting London Heathrow Airport is a gateway for accessing many other parts of the world.
FILE: In this photograph taken Feb. 8, 2016, a British Airways plane touches down on a runway at Denver International Airport.
David Zalubowski / AP
Portland International Airport will become the sixth British Airways service to London from the West Coast, along with Los Angeles; San Diego; San Francisco; San Jose, California; and Seattle.
The airport saw a dramatic dip in travel as the first waves of the pandemic hit the region. Even with the holidays, passenger numbers are about 25% below what they were in 2019, according to Simonds.
But the Sunday after Thanksgiving was a popular travel day, Simonds said, and there has been an uptick in those who are willing to hop on a plane.
“There was always some travel during the pandemic,” Simonds said, “But it was out of need. And now, we are seeing it out of want … Folks want to connect with loved ones.”
The direct London flight is one of several changes the airport has undertaken recently.
In November, PDX opened a new rental car center. The airport will now be able to eliminate shuttle service and offer several rental car possibilities from National, Payless, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise and Sixt and Zipcar.
The rental car center is relying on new technology called CarbonCure, which is supposed to reduce carbon emissions by trapping carbon dioxide in concrete. PDX is the first airport to use low-carbon concrete, according to a news release from the Port of Portland.
The airport has also replaced Concourse A with a new Concourse B, which has gates to Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air regional routes. The popular restaurant Screen Door will be serving food and Good Coffee will offer beverages in the new concourse.