Horizon Air Closing Medford Crew Base

78 pilots and flight attendants to be reassigned; flights not impacted

MEDFORD, Ore. — Horizon Air plans to close its Medford crew base this spring, transferring 78 pilots and flight attendants to other cities, according to company officials.

The closure is scheduled to take effect May 31 and coincides with the opening of a new Horizon Air base in Las Vegas. Horizon Air is a regional airline owned by Alaska Air Group and is one of five commercial carriers serving the Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport.

In a statement, the company said the change will not affect scheduled flights to and from Medford.

“This change, which is effective May 31, does not impact our flights to and from the Medford airport,” Alaska Air Group said.

Horizon Air currently operates flights from Medford to destinations including Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The airline maintains approximately two dozen daily departures from the Rogue Valley airport.

According to the company, the Medford location is Horizon’s smallest crew base and has not grown enough since opening in 2012 to remain sustainable. The airline said establishing a base in Las Vegas provides new opportunities for growth.

“No other regional airline has a base in Las Vegas, so Horizon will have a unique opportunity to pair our talented teams with a growing city and an airport that offers considerable connecting options,” the company stated.

The Association of Flight Attendants previously notified members in October that significant changes were expected, indicating the transition has been under consideration for several months. The union acknowledged the move could be disruptive for employees and said it would advocate to minimize impacts during the transition.

Medford airport officials indicated they were not provided detailed reasoning beyond the company’s sustainability explanation.

Cover image: Alaska Airlines (Horizon Air)

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