Lycoming County to assist Williamsport Regional Airport in returning commercial flights
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The Williamsport Regional Airport has an agreement with Lycoming County for financial assistance that could help return commercial flight service to the area.
Airport Executive Director Richard Howell recently confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding is in place for up to $1 million to assist with revenue needs.
The airport has been without a commercial carrier since American Airlines ended local flights there in 2021.
"They (county officials) are not just scratching us out a check for $1 million," Howell said.
Rather, the funding would come only if the airport were successful in its efforts to return commercial flights.
Lycoming County Commissioner Rick Mirabito noted the airport returned $350,000 of county money that had been designated for the airport's tower rehabilitation needs.
"So, the taxpayers are really putting forth $650,000. They (the airport) gave us back money," he said. "We are really trying hard to support the airport as they work to find an airline."
The money would be released if the airport were to recruit a carrier that didn't fit into the requirements of a grant or "we had a carrier that met it, but we need a little more money," Howell explained.
In the meantime, airport officials have continued to work toward finding a commercial carrier.
"We are looking at different options," Howell said.
One possibility, he noted, would be to find an airline carrier that would provide flights to and from the airport several days a week, if not daily.
Howell said small regional airports all face challenges of providing commercial service.
Few airlines want to take a risk on new markets, he noted.
The COVID-19 pandemic, high fuel costs, and the nationwide pilot shortage also have played a factor.
"Small markets are feeling the brunt of it," he said.
Howell remains optimistic that things will change.
After all, the area certainly demands commercial air service.
"We lost our service because we had a bad airline that didn't treat us right," he said.