EDITORIAL: Seat backs up, tray tables locked

March 14--It's long been true that one could gauge the Portland metropolitan area's economic vitality -- and see its aspirations -- simply by counting the nonstop flights that take off and land at PDX.

By that rough measurement, there soon will be new reason for optimism. As The Oregonian's Richard Read reported Wednesday, Virgin America will soon launch daily nonstops in June between PDX and both Los Angeles and San Francisco, which will heighten competition on those routes and push down fares.

Moreover, Alaska Airlines, the Port of Portland and Oregon's congressional delegation all are pushing for permission to add a direct flight between PDX and Reagan National Airport in downtown Washington, D.C. That would be a tremendous new option for PDX passengers seeking to visit or do business in the nation's capital, or elsewhere on the East Coast.

However, this is another nonstop flight that the Portland metro area is going to have to fight for, something the smallish market is used to doing. A law signed by President Obama a month ago made available only four additional slots for long-haul flights to tightly regulated Reagan National. Alaska Airlines is seeking two of the slots for flights from Portland and San Diego, the largest West Coast cities without direct service from Reagan National.

As it stands, anyone who wants to fly from the Washington area to Portland nonstop has only one choice, a flight that departs from Dulles International Airport in suburban Virginia, 28 miles from the capital. No wonder Oregon's entire congressional district is strongly behind Alaska's proposal -- they and the junior staff members who ferry them around are plenty familiar with that long, gridlocked drive to Dulles.

But people in Oregon and southwest Washington cannot leave the lobbying to Alaska, or to their members of Congress. The U.S. Department of Transportation, which will allocate the coveted slots at Reagan National, needs to hear from thousands of Northwest passengers who want more convenient and timely flights. Take a moment to visit PortofPortland.com and follow the links to submit your comments to the Transportation Department by March 27.

The additional nonstop flight is important whether or not you have any interest in flying to Washington, D.C., or anywhere on the East Coast. Strong, convenient air service from Portland is crucial to attracting business and jobs to the metro area. That's why the port, business leaders and this newspaper have been so supportive of the major nonstop flights to and from Portland, especially the always vulnerable transoceanic flights that link Portland to Europe and Asia. These flights not only serve the international companies that are Oregon's flagship businesses, but they also speak to the hopes and dreams of the Portland metro area to be a true economic hub on the Pacific Rim.

Every one of these flights, every new airline that comes to PDX, brings significant travel and economic opportunities. Virgin Airlines is planning to hire as many as 40 employees in Portland. And Virgin's presence here could grow with new flights to New York or other destinations.

All this is heartening economic news, a sign that after four hard years, the Portland metropolitan area may no longer have to operate on a wing and a prayer.

Copyright 2012 - The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.