PORTLAND -- Oregon airports will soon get a big chunk of federal money and Portland International Airport will likely be allowed to have more direct flights to the East Coast.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $66 billion federal aviation bill last week and the Senate is expected to do the same this week. In Oregon, the bill will mean direct flights from PDX to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. for the very first time.
It also provides airport improvement funds that will be used to update runways and aging radar systems all across the state of Oregon.
And there's a clause that protects the airspace above Crater Lake, limiting controversial helicopter tours above the sensitive park. Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has been working on the bill for nearly five years and says it's finally a done deal.
"This is going to be good news: put people to work, good for the economy, the quality of life, with benefits from small airports all the way to PDX," he said.
Officials with the Port of Portland said they've been watching this legislation for a long time and are excited that more direct flights from Portland to the East Coast could soon be a reality.
