Landscape of HIA to Change in 2017

Harrisburg International Airport and its current campus landscape will start to change in 2017. Three major construction projects are scheduled to begin on airport property during the Spring or Summer of 2017. These projects include a new hotel, a new corporate aircraft hangar and a new Fixed Base Operator (FBO) facility that will better serve the regions corporate and general aviation users. Also, plans for a fourth construction project on airport property along Route 230 are progressing. “While there will be a lot of construction at the airport this year, no significant impact on the day-to-day operation of the airport is expected,” said Tim Edwards, executive director. In addition, the airport continues to develop plans for the demolition of two older buildings on campus, Building 26 (former military headquarters building) and Building 29 (former barracks).

2016 Traffic Numbers Higher, Charter Traffic

Passenger traffic for 2016 totaled 1,205,442, which is an increase of 2.4 percent vs 2015, while December alone was an increase of 12.5 percent. Airlines are reporting the return of strong business travel demand since the November elections. Enplanements finished at 607,324, up 2.5 percent versus 2015.  Allegiant Airlines provided the most growth as traffic increased 37 percent. New service to Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers served more than 26,000 passengers and new summer seasonal service to Myrtle Beach served about 10,500 new passengers. Allegiant’s new service also drove down fares from an average of $275 to Ft. Myers and $225 to Myrtle Beach in 2015, to an average of just $60 to Punta Gorda and $65 to Myrtle Beach during the 2nd quarter of 2016. “Central Pennsylvania travelers continue to choose HIA vs driving hours to far away airports when offered affordable fares and convenient nonstop service,” said Edwards. Other 2016 traffic results include: American Airlines up 6.6 percent, Air Canada up 12.5 percent, Delta Air Lines down 2.3 percent and United down 4.1 percent. Southern Airways Express has also recently resumed its new service to Pittsburgh and Franklin from Harrisburg.

Penn State’s trip to the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena generated most of December’s 2,930 charter enplanements as 13 flights flew nonstop from HIA to Los Angeles carrying the team, Blue Band, Cheerleaders, administration officials and fans. “The PSU charters were a total team effort as members of the airport maintenance, operations, police, administration and customer service departments worked closely with AvFlight, Flightline Aircraft Services, the Transportation Security Administration and airline representatives from United, Allegiant and Southwest to make it all happen. We are hopeful that opportunities like this one can become an annual tradition!”