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PITTSTON TWP. — Slipping passenger numbers and departing board members Thursday made for a bittersweet end-of-year meeting of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Bi-County Board.
Executive Director Carl Beardsley reported that passenger enplanements for the month of November decreased 1.2% to 22,790 from 23,059 in November 2018. Beardsley attributed that slight decline to the seasonal loss of one daily United flight to Chicago’s O’Hare, which he said will return in March.
Beardsley further reported that in November, six departing flight were canceled — three for traffic/weather; two for mechanical and one for no crew. He said those account for 300 (1.1%) out of a total 27,878 departure seats. Also, two arriving flights were canceled — both for air traffic/weather.
After the report, Beardsley thanked three departing members for their service — Lackawanna County Commissioners Patrick O’Malley and Laureen Cummings, and Luzerne County Councilwoman Jane Walsh Waitkus. All three lost their bids for reelection in November and will be replaced before the January bi-county board meeting.
Board Chairman Tim McGinley of Luzerne County, thanked all three for their service, noting they played integrals roles in the airport’s record-setting year.
“This indeed is a bittersweet day,” McGinley said. “Changes will be coming with the new year. But as we close out this year, I want to thank the three of you for all you did to make this a great year for the airport. As we look ahead, there will be challenges, but we do have many positive projects to accomplish.”
Luzerne County Manager David Pedri also praised Walsh Waitkus, O’Malley and Cummings, calling them true public servants.
“It’s been an honor to serve with you,” Pedri said. “You have each given of yourselves for the betterment of this airport and we thank you.”
Walsh Waitkus said she was most proud of the progress that was made to improve relations between Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
“The two counties now have a wonderful relationship,” she said.
O’Malley, who served on the bi-county board for eight years, called the airport “a hidden jewel” that offers customers and visitors a warm welcome.
“Coming here is like going home,” O’Malley said. “We had issues between the two counties going back to the 1980s and the issue with the stadium and the $1 million from Luzerne County. We resolved that issue and I believe it was this board that bought the two counties together to create a good working relationship.”
In other business, the board:
• Approved a contract with Tri-State Security Solutions Inc., 240 Laurel Mall, Hazel Township, to provide airport security services. Beardsley said 14 companies responded to the advertised Request for Qualifications and after a review of qualifications, five companies were interviewed by airport personnel: Century Security, Wilkes-Barre; Vets Securing American, Los Angeles; Ingage Security, Philadelphia; OPS Security Group, Philadelphia; Tri State Security; Hazle Township.
Beardsley said Tri-State Security Solutions was determined to be most qualified to service the airport’s needs.
The contract is effective Jan. 26, subject to the solicitor’s review, and has a three-year term, with two, 365-day extensions upon mutual consent.
• The board approved the fiscal year 2020 budget for $6.9 million, slightly less than the 2019 budget amount.
