(Middletown, PA – October 29, 2014)  The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) today approved three contracts to replace 367 light fixtures in the parking garage at Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) that will reduce energy costs by more than $33,000 annually.

“The purpose of this project is to replace the existing 175-watt metal halide light fixtures on the second and third floors of the parking garage with new 55-watt Light Emitting Diodes (LED) light fixtures that consume less power, have a longer service life and require less maintenance,”  said SARAA Chairman Fred Sembach.  This new lighting will save the authority about $33,500 dollars annually over the 11.4 year life expectancy of the fixtures.  After nearly $50,000 in available rebates, SARAA’s net cost for the project will be around $100,000.”  SARAA will finance the project in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Fund.

Harrisburg City Cab, Inc. to continue at HIA

The SARAA Board today approved a five-year Single Taxi Cab License Agreement with Harrisburg City Cabs, Inc. providing sole taxi pick-up services at HIA.

“Harrisburg City Cabs has done a very good job over the past five years providing reliable, safe and professional cab service to passengers arriving at HIA,” said Sembach.  Projected revenue for the authority is about $98,000 annually.

HIA’s International Bookings are up 22% in 2014

Between January 1 and August 31, 2014, a total of 67,644 passengers have booked an international flight to/from HIA.  This represents an average of 278 passengers each day which is an increase of 22.1% compared to the first eight months of 2013.

“The revenue associated with international travel is extremely important to maintaining and growing service on American, United, Delta and Air Canada—our global airline partners,” said Sembach.  “As our region continues to become a larger player in the global economy, providing more flight options to key international hubs is a focus of the authority moving forward.”

2014’s five most booked international business destinations have been Toronto, London, Mexico City, Montreal and Shanghai.  The top five booked leisure destinations have been Cancun, Vancouver, Punta Cana, Montego Bay and Nassau.  American/US Airways is the HIA market leader with 35% of all international bookings followed by United, Delta and Air Canada.

SARAA reported that through September 30^th, 971,074 total passengers have used HIA—a 1.6% decline compared to the first nine months of 2013.

The next SARAA Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 3^rd, 2014 at 8:00 am, in the David C. McIntosh Boardroom on the third floor of the HIA Terminal Building.

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Seven airlines serve Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) offering about 70 flights daily to 12 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.