Two airport officials flew to Salt Lake City late Tuesday afternoon to negotiate with SkyWest Airlines for round-trip flights with Portland.

Gary LeTellier, Southwest Oregon Regional Airport’s executive director, and Mike Lehman, chairman of the airport’s governing board, were scheduled to meet SkyWest officials at 1 p.m. Pacific time today, pursuing a deal that will secure the flights after Horizon Air’s Portland service terminates Oct. 11.

“I move we let Mike negotiate the very best deal we possibly can, within the parameters of the agreement,” said Commissioner Helen Brunell Mineau, at an emergency meeting before the two men left.

Commissioner Joe Benetti seconded the motion, and the board unanimously approved a tentative agreement that, among other things, would guarantee SkyWest up to $713,136 a year to ensure the airline will at least break even on its Portland flights. If the tentative contract is agreed upon, SkyWest would send the district a monthly report and invoice, which would show passenger revenue for the preceding month. If revenue falls below SkyWest’s break-even level, the district would have to pay SkyWest the difference within 15 days, or the airline could terminate the contract with five days’ written notice to the district.