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December 10, 1999

Construction causes fog delays at Oregon airport

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- Extension of a runway will likely mean more fog delays for commuter planes at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport as the Christmas travel season heats up.

Fog scuttled two flights and delayed another on Wednesday because the need to turn runway lights off during construction increases the minimum landing visibility for commuter planes, such as those operated by Horizon Air and United Express to Portland and Seattle, from 2,400 feet to 5,000 feet.

Large jets, such as those operated by the United Shuttle to San Francisco and Los Angeles have a minimum landing visibility in the range of 4,000 to 4,500 feet.

"We are praying for rain," which would create weather conditions that wash the fog out of the air, said airport operations manager Robert Russell.

The runway lights will be out of service until next fall, when a 2,100-foot extension of the main runway is scheduled to be finished, Russell said.

The cancellations of two Horizon morning arrivals on Wednesday were the first of December, said Dee Nelson, Horizon's Medford station manager.

"Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed," Nelson said. "If that nasty fog rolls in, all of us are going to have to get creative."

One United Express flight was also canceled, according to operator SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah.

"It probably will not be the last time," due to the lack of runway lights, said Bo Stroyls, SkyWest manager of corporate communications.




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