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Hub at Charlotte a solid next step for local airport

Future will depend on how many travelers pick IPT

Ever want to fly west from Williamsport?

In recent years, that has meant first flying east to Philadelphia, then south to a hub in Charlotte, North Carolina, then west.

Want to fly south? Again, east to Philadelphia, then south, maybe through Charlotte or maybe to another destination.

A person could spend a lot of extra time on airplanes and in airports trying to get to a loved one, a vacation destination or a business meeting from the Williamsport Regional Airport.

It could take all day. And it was pricey.

The alternative would be to choose another regional airport with a lower fare and a considerable savings of time.

So from a convenience standpoint alone, we were delighted to hear that American Airlines — the only airline offering a flight from Williamsport — will switch its daily flight destination from Philadelphia to Charlotte, a major hub on the East Coast.

Sure, the sacrifice comes for those heading east or north. But a recent study shows the most popular leisure destinations from Williamsport are in Florida, so this change appears to accommodate the majority.

Will it lead to more people using the local airport?

Time will tell. But increased usage — increased demand — is what is needed to get past one other issue with the local airport: that there is only one flight daily at this time, but there will be two starting in May.

We could say this change of hubs is a start, but the start really came with the modernization of the airport and its terminal. Upgrades of the runway and facilities were essential to continued operation of the local airport with a gate and features that meet modern FAA standards.

Charlotte is the first offer of evidence that the investment was worth it. The next evidence will come with the number of people who choose IPT — Williamsport Regional Airport — the next time they book a flight.

Service to Charlotte begins on Aug. 8. Ticket purchasing for flights to Charlotte has just begun.

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