SORA release - Despite a nationwide slowing of air travel, the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend continues to chart a different course—posting strong and sustained growth in 2025. There was a remarkable 19% surge through June this year over last. These numbers mark the highest six-month totals in over a decade and bring total passenger volume for the first half of the year to more than 20,000.  June alone saw nearly 6,800 passengers fill available seats, a figure that reflects both the airport's increasing appeal and the rising demand for travel to and from Oregon’s South Coast. United increased flights through Denver from two to seven days a week making growth attainable because of flight availability.  Additional growth is driven by demand for travel to the South Coast for its access to many golf opportunities, particularly to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. In Golf Digest’s latest list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses,” five Bandon Dunes courses earned top spots. The national attention has attracted more golf travelers and increased usage from local zip codes.  SkyWest Airlines, operating United Express service from North Bend, has also reported an uptick in family travel this summer, underscoring the airport’s growing role as a gateway not just for golf, but for leisure and connection.  With its breathtaking coastal setting, free parking, and direct links to major hubs, the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport is proving to be a critical piece of Oregon’s travel infrastructure—and a bright spot in the national air travel landscape.