Salem’s Grand Plan: A Runway to Nowhere?

You ever look at something and think, Wow, that seems like a terrible idea, but then everyone in charge is nodding and acting like it’s the most logical thing in the world? That’s precisely what’s happening with Salem’s city airport right now. The city council, in their infinite wisdom, has decided that Salem simply doesn’t need a second runway.

Why? Well, they’ve got reasons. Money, of course. It always comes down to money. Maintaining an extra strip of pavement long enough to land a jet isn’t cheap, and apparently, that cash would be better spent elsewhere—probably on studies about traffic congestion that will inevitably conclude traffic is bad.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Salem City Council, an elite squad of bureaucratic optimists, has decided that keeping the secondary runway open is just too much of a burden. They’d rather focus on the primary one, make it nice and efficient, and then hope no one minds that an airport with aspirations of actually being useful is now functionally smaller.

The decision isn’t official-official yet, but the signs are there: a resounding, lukewarm agreement among councilors that this is The Right Move. No one is out here burning their suits in protest, but aviation enthusiasts and business folks with an interest in keeping flights frequent are squirming in their seats. Some have pointed out that reducing operational capacity might—stay with me here—reduce operations. But hey, what’s a little self-sabotage when there’s a budget to balance?

Meanwhile, residents are left wondering if this means fewer flight options, fewer business opportunities, and a more questionable future for Salem’s ambitions of being a transportation hub. Because nothing says we are a serious city like a less functional airport.

Of course, the city insists this is all part of a thoughtful, well-planned strategy to streamline airport operations and make things better. But then again, bureaucrats love the word better. It covers a multitude of sins, from we’re about to make your life harder to we actually have no idea what we’re doing but it’s too late to turn back now.

So, what happens next? Probably more meetings. Maybe a few angry letters. Perhaps even an op-ed from some guy who owns a small plane and really needs that second runway. But unless something unexpected happens—like a billionaire deciding Salem is the perfect place for a private jet empire—that runway is on its way out.

For those of us who enjoy watching cities make bold choices that may or may not backfire spectacularly, this is definitely one to watch. Stay tuned.

(Original reporting from Salem Reporter: Salem City Councilors Support Closing Second Runway at City Airport)