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Former Williamsport Mayor Gabriel Campana showed up at the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority meeting to ask a question on the minds of many area residents: What can be done to return commercial flights to Lycoming County?
"We'd all like to see airline service for the area," Campana said. "I know it's a complex situation."
Campana suggested getting municipalities involved in the process.
"If you need an advocate, I can help," he said.
The Williamsport Regional Airport has been without a commercial carrier since American Airlines pulled flights in September 2021.
Authority Chair Frank Pellegrino responded that much time and effort has gone into finding commercial carriers for the airport.
"We have been trying very hard," he said.
Airport officials have reached out to the federal and state government as well as lawmakers who understand the situation, he noted.
However, the major airlines have pulled out of many smaller market communities such as Williamsport, according to Pellegrino.
He noted the airport some years ago was cut out of the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program subsidizing service to rural communities.
EAS was reportedly created in 1978 when Congress deregulated the airline industry.
Yet another obstacle, he said, has been a nationwide pilot shortage which is impacting air service everywhere.
Pellegrino said the work to find commercial air service will continue, even if it means taking "baby steps" such as finding airlines with small planes.
"I know you guys are going the extra mile," Campana said.
In other matters, the Authority approved a final payment of $63,254 to HRI for the main apron project.
A payment of $72,266 to Lundy Construction was approved for the control tower renovation project.
"Work is complete. It looks great," said Airport Executive Director Richard Howell.
Howell reported that design work is ongoing for FBO hangar modifications and taxi-lane paving is to get under way next month.
The authority met in executive session following the meeting to consider legal matters.
The next meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the airport terminal building.