SARAA Approves 2017 Budget

“The 2017 budget is balanced, structured to meet all operating and debt service obligations, and maintains current parking fee levels for travelers choosing to fly from HarrisburgInternational Airport,” said Tim Edwards, Executive Director. SARAA anticipates 2017 total airline and non-airline revenues to be around $27.3 million — up about two percent when compared to 2016. Operating expenses are anticipated to be around $17.1 million including four new employees and more dollars allocated to maintenance programs associated with the parking garage, jet bridges, lighting and new snow removal equipment. Approximately 588,000 enplanements at an 80% load factor are anticipated for 2017, similar to 2016.

Interruption in New Service to Pittsburgh and Franklin

Southern Airways Express Harrisburg Pre-December bookings have exceeded expectations, but December is traditionally a very light month for short-haul air travel and business travel. To account for the seasonal dip, Southern has halted Harrisburg flights for the rest of the holidays and will resume with its full schedule on January 16. Those tickets are on sale now.

Susquehanna Service Dog Training at HIA

On Saturday, December 3rd, Harrisburg International Airport played host to 50 service dogs in training from Susquehanna Service Dogs. The dogs worked through multiple stations in the airport including working with the TSA and going through security, riding the long term shuttle, practicing stairs and elevators throughout the airport, and even going on the runway and boarding a Dash-8 airplane thanks to the help of American Airlines and Piedmont. This event was very successful and made a great community impact. This was a success due to the teamwork of SARAA, Central Parking, TSA, and American Airlines / Piedmont.

High Mast Light Demolition

Today the SARAA board authorized the investment of more than $58,850 to remove eight (8) high mast light poles and one flag pole at Harrisburg International Airport. These are being removed from a recommendation of a structural integrity report that all of HIA’s high mast light poles be removes due to a loss of wall section affecting structural integrity. The next SARAA Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at 8:00 am, in the David C. McIntosh Boardroom, located on the third floor of the HIA terminal building.