Summer traffic projected to grow by 10% vs 2023  

(Middletown, PA – April 24, 2024) – A total of 305,541 passengers passed through Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) during the first three months of 2024, the airport’s busiest first quarter since its record year in 2019.  Additionally, 2024’s total was third highest since 2005. 

“The combination of our region’s strong and diverse economy, continued demand for air travel and more airline seats for sale, has generated a six percent increase in year-to-date HIA passengers compared to the same period last year,” said Timothy J. Edwards, Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority executive director.  “So far this year, United traffic is up 17 percent while American traffic is up 11 percent generating most of our growth.”

Summer traffic expected to be up 10 percent

Edwards said that during this summer’s busy travel season, he expects ten percent more travelers at HIA vs last summer as American has added a third daily flight to Chicago, more flights to Charlotte and a larger plane to Dallas.  Delta has added a second daily flight to Detroit while Allegiant has added more flights to Orlando Sanford, Myrtle Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Petersburg/Clearwater and is starting new service to Jacksonville on June 14^th.  Also, United will transition is Newark service back to its Washington DC Dulles hub on June 27^th making for more convenient connections to destination throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.   

Capital Project Continue  

Three major capital improvement projects continue at HIA.  First, construction crews are demolishing old building foundations and continuing to expand a new storm water management system in preparation for next year’s completion of a five-acre expansion of the airport’s cargo apron. 

The construction of a new water treatment plant to produce drinking water in compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new limits on PFOA and PFOS chemicals will be finished this summer. 

Work to refurbish and re-paint a 500,000-gallon water tank located near the Federal Aviation Administration’s control tower should be finished around July 4^th.

About Harrisburg International Airport:

Five airlines serve Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) offering around 60 flights daily to 14 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.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Miller
(717) 948-3900 ext. 4620