FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, ORE. (June 14, 2012) – PDX Offers New Air Service Options; Tips for Summer Travel

Summer travel season is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year at Portland International Airport.

PDX expects to serve nearly 4.2 million travelers from June through August. About 52,000 travelers will use the airport on the busiest days; about 45,500 on average days. Overall, the airport is expected to serve 6 percent more travelers than last summer.

New air service options

PDX offers travelers several new nonstop flight options this summer:

• Alaska Airlines – Offers seasonal daily nonstop service to Bellingham, Wash.; Bozeman, Mont., and Santa Barbara, Calif. through Aug. 25; daily nonstop service to Pasco, Wash. starting Aug. 27, and daily nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport beginning Aug. 28.
• Frontier Airlines – Offers seasonal nonstop service to Colorado Springs, Colo. through Sept. 16.
• SeaPort Airlines – Provides daily nonstop service to Yakima/Wenatchee, Wash.
• Southwest Airlines - Offers daily nonstop service to Austin, Texas through Aug. 11.
• Spirit Airlines – Launches daily nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth beginning June 21.
• Virgin America – Provides daily nonstop service to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Virgin America is PDX’s newest airline.

Security screening simplified

Qualifying PDX passengers can now participate in TSA Pre✓™, an expedited security process administered by the Transportation Security Administration, available only at the PDX Concourse A, B, and C security checkpoint when traveling domestically.

Passengers who qualify may be able to leave their shoes, light outwear and belt on, and their laptop in its case, and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels in their carry-on bag. TSA will incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.

As a reminder, passengers are otherwise asked to remove their 3-1-1 bag from their carry-on bag before screening, and remove all jewelry and contents from pockets in preparation for Advanced Image Technology screening. Beverages and water bottles filled with liquid are prohibited.

For TSA travel tips and a complete list of prohibited items on flights, visit www.tsa.gov. Travelers with screening questions related to a disability or medical condition can call the TSA Cares helpline at (855) 787-2227.

Plan ahead; know before you go

PDX encourages travelers to check flight schedules, parking availability and travel tips before leaving home, and to arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic flights; two hours, 30 minutes for international flights. Tips and information are available at www.pdx.com and (877) PDX-INFO. Passengers can also follow PDX on Twitter at @flypdx to learn about airport operations, special events and promotional offers.

Roadways and parking

Travelers should consider using short-term parking ($3/hour) to avoid congested roadways. It is always recommended that travelers remove valuables from vehicles when parking at the airport, including all forms of identification, vehicle registration and garage door openers. PDX offers traveler assistance in parking garages with free jump starts, vehicle locates, and tire inflations. Friendly and convenient shuttle service is also available.

PDX Summer Splash special events

Travelers can enjoy PDX Summer Splash performances by dozens of talented musicians and vocalists. Entertainment schedules are listed under tabs for restaurants, shops and services at www.pdx.com. Many stores and restaurants are participating with promotions on food and merchandise and extending operating hours to accommodate summer flight schedules. New art exhibits are available, including an underwater fairytale created by international artist Sayuri Sasaki Hemann, which greets passengers at the entrance of Concourse E through January 2013. A photography series documenting life-like and model-like planes made by Julian Hibbard and Demetrious Noble is on display along the PDX Concourse Connector from July 1 through June 2013. In a PDX Summer Splash drawing, celebrating Virgin America’s new Los Angeles and San Francisco flights, Virgin America is giving away a pair of tickets. Contest rules and entry forms are located in the airport and at www.pdx.com.