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The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, chaired by state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, will hold a virtual public hearing at 10 a.m. today to examine rural aviation and the decision by American Airlines to drop flights from many smaller U.S. cities, including Williamsport.
"Rural areas are at a disadvantage because transportation options are often limited," Yaw said, according to a news release. "This has profound implications for rural communities, particularly now during the pandemic. Maintaining passenger flights to and from our rural airports is vital to economic recovery."
The hearing will focus on demand for reliable air service, rural transportation and logistical impacts, impacts to area businesses and access to health care.
In addition to Yaw, Center Board members are Dr. Nancy Falvo, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; Stephen Brame, Gov. Tom Wolf's representative; state Sen. Katie Muth, D-Royersford; state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre; state Rep. Dan Moul, R-Conewago Township; Dr. Timothy Kelsey, Pennsylvania State University; Dr. Catherine Koverola, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford; Shannon Munro, Pennsylvania College of Technology; Dr. Joseph Nairn, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College; Dr. Charles Patterson, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania; and Darrin Youker, another representative for Wolf.
The board will be joined by local, state and federal elected officials.
The public hearing will be held via Zoom Webinar. Attendees are asked to register in advance at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN--DEFFXmzZRSmiKHWDncb6yA.