(Middletown, PA – January 27, 2016)  The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) reported that December 2015 was the busiest cargo month on record with 5,861 tons of cargo being flown in and out of Harrisburg International Airport (HIA). “This represents a 13.5 percent increase compared to December 2014,” said Stephen Libhart, SARAA Board Chairman. “We ended 2015 with 51,401 tons of cargo being flown to and from the region, which is a 5.1 percent increase over 2014.” The previous monthly record of 5,722 tons was set during September 1999. The 283 cargo departures in December also set a new monthly record for the airport.

In 2015 nearly 1.2 million people used HIA to access more than 450 destinations worldwide, spending nearly $325 million on airline tickets alone. Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Tampa Bay were the five most popular domestic destinations. Total passenger traffic was down nine percent compared to 2014, primarily due to Frontier leaving the market last spring.

Seven percent of travelers at HIA (87,000) flew to more than 150 international destinations, spending about $48 million on tickets. Toronto, Cancun, San Juan, London, and Shanghai were the five most popular international destinations. “In 2015, we also saw a 5.5 percent decline in the average one way fare, showing you can save money, distance, and time when choosing HIA,” said Tim Edwards, SARAA Executive Director.

Airport Authority approves Sale of former Bethlehem Steel Property

Today, the airport authority board approved a draft Agreement of Sale between SARAA and WIP Airport Services LP for the purchase of the former Bethlehem Steel property for $3.3 million. The 39.1 acre site is located off White House Lane along PA Route 230. SARAA is in the process of obtaining FAA approval to release the property from aeronautical purposes and hopes to close on the sale later this year.

Prior Board Chair Recognized

At the board meeting, SARAA Chairman Stephen Libhart recognized former board member Fred Sembach for his service to the airport authority. Sembach represented Lower Swatara Township on the board for over 18 years and served as chairman for the past two. “The board and SARAA staff are grateful to Fred for his dedication and commitment during his tenure on the board and as chairman,” said Libhart.

William Leonard was named as the new representative for Lower Swatara Township at the December 2015 meeting.

The next SARAA Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at 8:00 am, in the David C. McIntosh Boardroom, located on the third floor of the HIA terminal building.

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About Harrisburg International Airport:

Five airlines serve Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) offering about 70 flights daily to 10 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.