(Middletown, PA – March 26, 2014)  For the second month in a row, winter weather negatively affected passenger traffic at Harrisburg International Airport (MDT).

The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) reported today that February 2014 HIA passenger traffic was down 3.4 percent compared to February 2013.  During February 2014, 87,368 total passengers used the facility.  2014 year-to-date traffic is down 3.6 percent as 176,060 travelers have used the facility.

“During the month of February, airlines cancelled more than 35,000 flights nationwide due to winter weather,” said SARAA Board member Timothy Tate.  “At MDT, even though flights were nearly 83 percent full—a new monthly record—flight cancelations resulted in a seven percent decline in available seats for sale.  Even with the January and February decline in traffic, should we see a typical March; first quarter 2014 passenger traffic will be near budgeted projections.”

Nonstop flights and Low Fares return to Denver on April 30^th

Frontier Airline’s popular four day-a-week nonstop service to Denver returns April 30^th, 2014.  This will be the third consecutive year with seasonal service to Denver which has become the airport’s 4^th most popular destination.  Beyond Denver, Frontier offers connecting flights to more than 15 destinations including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland and Salt Lake City.

New Nonstop flights and Low Fares to Chicago-Midway!

Beginning June 13^th, 2014, Frontier will offer new four times-a-week nonstop service to Chicago’s Midway International Airport (MDW). Book your Frontier tickets directly with www.flyfrontier.com for the lowest fares.

Sunburst Restaurant to be Demolished

Today the SARAA board approved a $176,240 contract with Schlegel Excavating Inc. of Millmont, PA to demolish the former Sunburst Restaurant.  “The removal of this building is another positive step in the future development of 23 acres owned by the Airport Authority along Route 230,” said Tate.  “We look forward to completing this project by the end of summer 2014.”

The next SARAA Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 30^th, 2014 at 8:00 am, in the David C. McIntosh Boardroom located on the third floor of the HIA terminal building.

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Harrisburg International Airport is served by seven major airlines with approximately 90 flights daily to and from 13 non-stop destinations.  HIA is owned by SARAA, a multi-municipal authority whose mission is to serve the region by providing high quality, efficient airports and promoting regional economic development.  SARAA was incorporated in 1997 to manage and oversee the economic development of Harrisburg International Airport and Capital City Airport.  SARAA board members are volunteer community leaders appointed by the elected officials from the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin and York, the cities of Harrisburg and York, and the townships of Fairview and Lower Swatara.  On July 29^th, 2004, SARAA acquired the Chambersburg Municipal Airport and renamed it the Franklin County Regional Airport and on August 25^th, 2006, SARAA acquired the Gettysburg Travel Center and renamed it the Gettysburg Regional Airport.  In 2010, these four facilities combined to handle approximately 125,000 aircraft operations annually and have a total economic output of more than $991 million.