FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Miller
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HIA January and February 2019 Traffic up 10.9 percent

Busiest January and February since 2005

(Middletown, PA – March 27, 2019) – The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) reported a total of 197,576 passengers have used Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) during January 2019 and February 2019—a 10.9 percent increase compared to the first two months of 2018. 

“We’ve had more passenger use HIA during the first two months of this year than we’ve had since 2005,” said Timothy J. Edwards, SARAA executive director.  “February was the 11^th consecutive month of year-over-year passenger traffic growth and the 18^th month out of the past 26.  Load factors—the percentage of seats sold—are up to record levels so far this year as well.”   

Edwards said American Airlines—HIA’s largest carrier—is producing the most growth as traffic is up 15.2 percent vs last year thanks to more flights to Charlotte and Chicago and fuller planes to Philadelphia and Boston.  Allegiant traffic is up 10 percent thanks to new daily service to Orlando/Sanford International Airport and more flights to Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers and St. Petersburg/Clearwater.  Frontier’s new service to Orlando International has been popular as well. 

5 new routes start soon

Five more nonstop routes will begin over the next nine weeks.  Allegiant begins twice-weekly nonstop flights to Sarasota/Bradenton on April 3^rd and resumes twice-weekly Myrtle Beach service on April 4^th.  Frontier resumes three times a week service to Denver on May 1^st.  Allegiant begins twice-weekly nonstop flights to Nashville on June 6^th and American begins daily nonstop flights to Dallas/Ft. Worth on June 7^th.  

“2019 could be the busiest year at HIA since 2005 as this expanded service provides central PA business and leisure travelers the opportunity to fly from Harrisburg versus wasting hours driving to and from far away airports,” said Edwards.  “As the region continues to support these flights, more could come in the future.”     

Reconstruction of Airport Drive to begin in April

The Airport Authority will begin a nearly $4.0 million project to reconstruct Airport Drive between the western HIA water tower and the Long-Term parking lot.  “We’ve been able to put together enough funding to completed this much-needed project this summer,” said Edwards.  Airport Drive will remain open throughout the project though there will be periods of time when traffic is reduced to one lane and managed by a series of stop lights.  The fully rebuilt road is expected to open this fall.

The next SARAA Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 24^th, 2019, at 8:00 am, in the David C. McIntosh Boardroom, located on the third floor of the HIA terminal building.

About Harrisburg International Airport:

Five airlines serve Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) offering nearly 70 flights daily to 12 year-round and two seasonal non-stop destinations.  The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) owns HIA, Capital City Airport in New Cumberland and both Franklin County and Gettysburg Regional Airports.  Incorporated in 1997, SARAA is a multi-municipal authority whose mission is to serve the region by providing high quality, efficient airports and promoting regional economic development.  Combined these four facilities handle about 90,000 aircraft operations and generate a total economic output of more than $990 million annually.