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PITTSTON TWP. — AVP will soon have an app.

AVP, better known as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, will have its new app online sometime next week, said Brock Siegel, CEO of Omnitized, a social media marketing services company.

At the September meeting of the Bi-County Airport Board, Siegel said his company recently improved the airport’s website, expanding the airport’s social media reach with creation of high-quality content, daily posting activity and increasing engagement of followers.

Siegel said the new app raises the airport’s awareness and makes it easier for customers to get information, such as departure and arrival times of flights, delays, parking availability, cancellations, airport news and much more — all in real time.

Siegel said the app should be up and running sometime next week. AVP is the fifth largest airport in Pennsylvania.

“We did a competitive analysis and found out that we are one of the few airports of similar size that will have an app,” Siegel said. “That gives us a competitive edge over our competition.”

Passenger activity

Executive Director Carl Beardsley reported that the airport’s 14-month long streak of increased passenger flow ended in October, although the decline was by just 1%, making it the highest October in airport history, He said the decline was due to the elimination of a United Airline flight to Chicago, which he said will return during the first quarter of 2020.

Beardsley, whose contract was extended through 2022, said the airport is still expected to set a new record for yearly passenger travel.

Beardsley said passenger enplanements for the month of October 2019 decreased 1% to 25,359 from 25,604 in the month of October 2018.

Beardsley honored

Beardsley was presented with a plaque, thanking him for his two-year service as president of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania. Debra Bowman, executive director of the ACP, was on hand to present the plaque and honor Beardsley.

“We thrived under Carl’s leadership, Bowman said. “He was in innate leader and we appreciate his honesty and his ability to think things through.”

Resident’s concern

Lou Posly, a resident of Lidy Road Road in Dupont, asked the board to remove a gate that blocks access for residents. He said opening the road would allow residents easier access to the airport, Interstate 81 and Route 315.

Posly presented several petitions signed by residents seeking the opening of the road.

Payavis honored

The board honored Pete Payavis, who died in August. Payavis served as superintendent of the airport, where he was employed for 41 years.

A plaque was unveiled in the airport terminal honoring Payavis. His wife, Joyce, and daughter, Melissa, were on hand for the ceremony.

“My dad loved this airport,” Melissa said. “It’s nice that he will be a part of this place forever.”

Carl Beardsley, executive director at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, was given a contract extension Thursday through 2022.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_CARL-BEARDSLEY-AVP.jpg.optimal.jpgCarl Beardsley, executive director at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, was given a contract extension Thursday through 2022.

By Bill O’Boyle

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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.