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PITTSTON TWP. — May was yet another record-setting month for passenger travel at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
At Thursday’s meeting of the Bi-County Airport Board, Executive Director Carl Beardsley reported that passenger enplanements for the month of May 2019 increased 22.6 percent to 27,305 from 22,270 in May 2018.
Beardsley said when compared directly with the numbers from May of last year, the increase is mainly attributed to the increase of flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport by American and United.
“The best word I can use is outstanding,” Beardsley said of the increased numbers. “This is the first month ever that we’ve had more than 27,000 outgoing passengers from this airport.”
Beardsley said in addition to the outgoing traffic, May said more than 28,000 incoming passengers for a total passenger flow of 55,115.
“And out load factors are at 85 percent,” Beardsley said, noting that the airplanes are nearly full for all flights. He said even with increased flights out of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and the use of bigger planes with more seats, the load factor remains high.
Beardsley said he and his staff constantly meet with local businesses to determine their needs and to assure they are aware of the service offered at the airport. He said he also shares those needs with the airlines so they know that the demand for air travel is always increasing in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“I think we have seen a significant increase in business here in the region,” Beardsley said. “And there has been a lot more demand for air travel by those businesses.”
Beardsley also said that he has had several encouraging meetings regarding the acquisition of a new nonstop to Florida airline. He said he hopes to have an announcement soon.
The airport has not had nonstop to Florida service since Allegiant Airline left in January 2018.
Beardsley also compared enplanements for May 2019 to enplanements for May 2017 that showed an increase of 3,217, or 13.4 percent.
“When compared directly with the month of May 2017, the increase is mainly attributed to American’s new service to Chicago and American’s increase of flights to Charlotte,” Beardsley said.
The May numbers followed April’s report that showed a new all-time one month record set for passengers flying out of the airport. Beardsley said passenger enplanements for the month of April 2019 increased 21.6 percent to 26,546 from 21,826 in April 2018. When compared directly with the month of April 2018, the increase is mainly attributed to American’s new service to Chicago, Beardsley noted.
And May’s numbers exceeded the April record-setting performance.
Luzerne County Councilman Tim McGinley, chairman of the Bi-county Airport Board, praised the record-setting numbers.
“What we are seeing is the airport is reaching its goals and, in fact, surpassing those goals,” McGinley said. “Passengers are taking advantage of all the different flights we offer to so many destinations.”
Beardsley also noted that despite the increased numbers, parking has not been a problem. He said the airport is nearing completion of a renovation project at the multilevel garage and there has been expansion of the airport’s surface lots.
In other business:
• Beardsley presented Airport Ambassador Joseph Andrews with a plaque recognizing him for his 1,032 hours of volunteer service over nearly 10 years.
Andrews a retired Pittston Area schoolteacher from Duryea, said he enjoys helping passengers at the airport and giving tours to visiting community groups.
“All of us in the Ambassadors Program give a lot of our time here at the airport,” Andrews said. “We are proud to be part of the team here.”
Beardsley said there are 26 volunteers in the Ambassadors Program.
• Robert “Bobby G.” Grunza of Jessup was honored for 30 years of service at the airport. Grunza began as a maintenance worker and moved up to lead fireman to a supervisory position over the last 15 years.
• Beardsley announced that a lactation room has been established in the airport beyond the security check-in area.
• Beardsley said he has been accepted appointment to the board of NEPA Alliance.