(Middletown, PA – March 30, 2016)  The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) board voted to approve $404,915 in contracts to improve the customer experience for travelers and tenants at Harrisburg International Airport.

“The new purchases include a larger, more comfortable long term parking shuttle bus, upgrades to the free in-terminal Wi-Fi system, a new phone system for our tenants, and an airfield tractor and mower to more efficiently mow approximately 100 acres of grass, said Stephen Libhart, SARAA Board Chairman.  “Regularly replacing aging equipment is part of our on-going commitment to provide an altogether better experience for our customers.”

The board also approved the final draft version of the new Master Plan for HIA, prepared by Leigh Fisher Consultants, of Burlingame, California. The last masterplan for HIA was completed in 1999. The Master Plan includes items such as mapping and land utilization/development, aviation demand forecast, facility demand/capacity analysis, updated environmental overview, financial and business feasibility analysis.

New Service to Myrtle Beach to begin in May

Airport officials recently announced that Allegiant Air will begin providing new, nonstop service to Myrtle Beach beginning on May 19. This service will be seasonal and run through September 18, 2016.

“This summer, Allegiant’s new, nonstop service will get you to Myrtle Beach in less than two hours compared to spending eight hours driving on busy and congested highways,” said Timothy Edwards, Executive Director.  “In addition to relaxing on the beach, Myrtle Beach offers great golfing, dining and live entertainment experiences for the whole family.”

With the addition of the new Myrtle Beach service, HIA anticipates Allegiant will set new monthly passenger traffic records this summer.  February 2016 was Allegiant’s second busiest month ever at HIA thanks to new service to Punta Gorda Florida, which started February 18. Nearly 9,800 passengers flew between HIA and Orlando-Sanford, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and Punta Gorda/Ft. Meyers, Florida.  Flight schedules and low fares can be found at www.allegiantair.com.

Overall, during the month of February, HIA served 80,717 passengers, which represents a 9.9 percent decrease in overall passengers compared to February 2015.

The next SARAA Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 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 nearly 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.