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The Williamsport Regional Airport has seen its last commercial flight -- at least for the foreseeable future.
The news comes with the the decision by American Airlines this week to cease air service from the local airport.
"They won't be returning in 2021 at all," airport Executive Director Richard Howell said Thursday.
Howell said company officials gave no reason for pulling out, but he suspects it has to do with the lower than expected passenger loads.
He said the news comes at a time when COVID-19 has taken its toll on much of the nation.
Just three months ago, American Airlines launched air service between the local airport and Charlotte, North Carolina.
"The thing that really bothers me is that two days after we got the Charlotte service, they announce they are temporarily suspending it," Howell said.
The suspension was originally announced for the period of early October to early November.
"The last flight went out Oct. 5," he said.
Later, the hope was that American Airlines would resume the Charlotte flights in January.
Howell said the pull-out of the airline hardly comes as a surprise, and airport officials have discussed bringing other air service to the airport.
"It's really unfortunate that we didn't get to demonstrate what we could do with the Charlotte market," he said.
People, he noted, were excited about the Charlotte service and the flights were seeing increasing numbers of passengers.
Howell said he remains optimistic that the airport will again see commercial flights.
"I have a whole lot of passengers waiting for service," he said.
In the meantime, the airport is not closing.
It serves as a site for private flights, training, rental car services, and other activities.
Commenting on the departure from the local market of American Airlines, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President Jason Fink said, "Obviously, it's not a good thing. American has not shown itself to be a good partner. From that aspect, if nothing else, we have an opportunity to put full effort into finding an airline that truly appreciates the market. There is a definite need for air service here."
He credited Howell for being proactive in trying to find other air service for the area.