Eugene Airport to Receive Fourth Bomb Detection Machine

In lieu of eight straight years of passenger growth, the Eugene Airport will be gaining a fourth explosive detection system (EDS) to increase airport security and efficiency.

• By Kaitlyn DeHaven
• Jun 12, 2019

The Eugene Airport will be gaining a fourth explosive detection system (EDS) following eight straight years of passenger growth.

U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio announced the approval on June 5, stating that this growth, alongside the World Track and Field championships coming to Eugene in 2021, brings with it some necessary changes for airport security and efficiency.

“Eugene Airport’s impressive long-term passenger growth requires security to match so that Oregonians and visitors to our state can travel safely and efficiently,” Wyden said. “I am gratified that our delegation has worked with airport officials to make this case successfully as Eugene continues to attract visitors as a hub for major track-and-field events, recreation and much more.”

Merkley commented that the airport must ensure that safety infrastructure grows alongside the number of fliers, as the city is growing.

DeFazio said he has been encouraging TSA to make these changes for a few years, and he’s glad to see them being put in place.

“I have been pushing TSA to make appropriate security investments in Eugene’s airport for years,” DeFazio said. “Sustained passenger growth has pushed the airport’s security to its limits. I am pleased that TSA’s decision will enable Eugene’s airport to take an important step forward in its aviation security efforts and look forward to continuing to work with TSA on the airport’s additional needs.”

The senators and representative wrote to TSA in April to support the funding for the machine, and in their letter, they stated that Eugene’s airport saw more than 571,000 passengers last year. They said that these numbers put United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and America Airlines at disadvantages because of delayed bag screening and increased prospects for misdirected luggage. In addition, they wrote that continued growth of Oregon air traffic could be halted if the addition of an explosive detection system was not approved.