Member News

HARRISBURG SUMMER TRAVEL NUMBERS UP

With the busy summer travel season coming to a close, passenger traffic during June, July and August increased 9.3% compared to the same period in 2015 (327,667 passengers versus 299,794).  Allegiant Air’s new service to Myrtle Beach, SC and Punta Gorda, FL proved to be very popular while American and Air Canada posted significant traffic increases as well. “More people were able to choose the convenience of HIA this summer as most of our airline partners increased level of summer service,” said Tim Edwards, Executive Director. “Looking ahead, we are excited for the resumption of nonstop service to Pittsburgh on Sout­­hern Airways Express on October 31.”  

 

HARRISBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOSTS A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY DRILL

On Saturday, September 24^th, Harrisburg International Airport hosted its tri-annual full scale emergency drill.  More than 70 volunteers participated in a simulated aircraft incident on the HIA cargo ramp as 12 fire departments and EMS departments from Dauphin, Cumberland, York and Lancaster Counties responded to the exercise. The American Red Cross, the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office, and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard 193rd Special Operations Wing also played significant roles in the drill.  

“On behalf of the airport authority, I’d like to thank all the volunteers, first responders and agency partners who made this drill a success,” said Frank Wirth, HIA Fire Chief. “These drills go a long way to help us prepare should an actual incident ever take place on airport property. Communications, cooperation and resource staging are always issues we work to improve.”  

WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR

Capital City Airport (CXY) will be hosting the Colling Foundation “Wings of Freedom Tour” from October 3 – 5, 2016.  

Each year, the Collings Foundation takes their “Wings of Freedom Tour” through a number of regional airports with their Boeing B–17 Fortress, Consolidated B–24 Liberator and two-seater North American TP–51C Mustang fighter, to name a few. Most venues have ‘walk through’ tours of one of the bombers as well as flight and flight training experiences (prices for tours and experiences vary).

Video Promotion:                 https://youtu.be/yc2SKPKR5h0

Cost Information:                http://www.collingsfoundation.org/event/harrisburg-pa/

 TREE REMOVAL AT SUNSET GOLF COURSE AND RUNWAY REHAB

Today, the SARAA Board approved a proposed agreement with Londonderry Township related to obstruction removal of tall trees and fairway restoration work on portions of the front nine at Sunset Golf Course.  Londonderry Township is expected to begin harvesting trees this fall with SARAA’s contractor. Expected follow-up work will include stump removal and golf course restoration work.  As Spring 2017 approaches, Hempt Brothers Inc. will begin rehabilitation of the western 2,000 feet of the runway and partial rehabilitation of the next 2,000 feet of runway at Harrisburg International Airport.  “While this agreement still needs final Londonderry Township approval, we are excited to begin the first phases of the three-year, approximately $21.9 Million,  HIA runway rehabilitation project,” said Edwards.

The next SARAA Board meeting will take place on October 26, 2016, at 8:00 am, in the David C. McIntosh Boardroom, located on the third floor of the HIA terminal building.

 

 

About Harrisburg International Airport:

Six airlines serve Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) offering nearly 70 flights daily to 13 non-stop destinations.  The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) owns HIA, Capital City Airport in New Cumberland and both Franklin County and Gettysburg Regional Airports.  Incorporated in 1997, SARAA is a multi-municipal authority whose mission is to serve the region by providing high quality, efficient airports and promoting regional economic development.  Combined these four facilities handle about 90,000 aircraft operations and generate a total economic output of more than $990 million annually.