Horizon Air is shutting down its Medford crew base in the second quarter of 2026, a shakeup that will uproot dozens of locally based pilots and flight attendants even as planes keep coming and going at Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport. The change affects where crews start and end their workdays, not the number of daily departures.
According to The Oregonian/OregonLive, Horizon told state workforce officials it expects to transfer about 78 pilots and flight attendants to other cities once the Medford base closes. The outlet reports that Horizon will continue operating its Medford routes to Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Union leaders say they have been bracing crews for the news. As detailed by AFA Horizon MEC, management notified the union back in October that the Medford domicile would close sometime between April and June 2026, and that roughly 37 flight attendants are currently based there. “This can be extremely unsettling for the Flight Attendants who are affected,” the union wrote, adding that it plans to work with inflight management to safeguard members’ contractual rights.
Airport says flights should continue
While the crew base is going away, airport officials say travelers should not see much difference on the departures board. Citing airport communications, The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that “our understanding is that it will not affect the number of flights serving Medford.” Rogue Valley International is currently served by five commercial carriers and handles roughly two dozen flights a day, so Horizon will be swapping out hometown crews, not pulling back service.
What it means for workers
For employees, the closure is more than a line on a route map. In its notice to members, AFA Horizon MEC reminded flight attendants of contract provisions that kick in when a domicile closes, including rules around transfers and eligibility for moving expenses. The union urged affected workers to tap union resources as they weigh their options and said it will push management to honor protections in the contract and to limit involuntary relocations where possible.
Bigger picture
Horizon Air operates as a regional carrier under the umbrella of Alaska Air Group, which oversees Horizon’s network strategy and crew deployments as part of the larger company’s planning. That parent-subsidiary relationship is outlined in Alaska Air Group corporate materials and press releases.
Local officials, Horizon and union leaders say more information will roll out as transfer plans are finalized and employees make decisions about their next base. We will update this story if Horizon, Alaska Air Group or airport officials release additional details.
