Jan. 18 – JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – As Johnstown Airport executives continue to search for a low-cost carrier to supplement SkyWest Airlines’ daily United Express jet service, they are preparing to welcome the additional passengers that the service could generate.
The Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority on Tuesday authorized engineers $9,800 to design an extension to the area where passengers wait after passing through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.
Authority Chairman Rick McQuaide said TranSystems, formerly LR Kimball, will credit $9,600 for a larger study if its engineers find that expansion is not practical without enlarging the terminal building.
The “waiting room” is already cramped due to growing ridership on daily United Express flights operated by SkyWest, McQuaide said.
In 2022, 7,584 people boarded United Express flights at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, more than double the 3,063 who boarded in 2020, which was the last full year before SkyWest won the contract for federally subsidized service.
Continuing its efforts to lure a low-cost carrier to the airfield, the authority voted on Tuesday to pay airport manager Cory Cree, consultant Gary Foss and an authority member to attend the Routes Americas conference. 2023 from March 21 to 23 in Chicago.
Cree said the annual conference brings together representatives from hundreds of airlines, allowing local airport executives to showcase their facilities as possible new destinations. Comparing it to speed-dating events, Cree said airport executives can schedule 20-minute meetings with multiple airlines.
“Where can you go to get meetings with hundreds of airlines? McQuaide added.
When Spirit Airlines ended or suspended all flights to Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers in Florida and to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe, the Johnstown authority saw an opportunity to promote local United Express service as an alternative for the region. travellers.
Fly Johnstown’s social media ads received thousands of hits, with around 20,000 people clicking links for flight times and more information, McQuaide said.
Separately, Cree said water main breaks caused the airport’s control tower to close on Christmas Eve. Air traffic operations were handled by other centers, leaving local operations unaffected. Repairs were completed and the tower reopened on Friday.
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