HIA Awards $1.7M in Contracts
(Middletown, PA – August 31, 2016) The role of the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority is to provide regional businesses and leisure travelers global access by operating high quality and efficient airports, while bolstering central Pennsylvania’s economy. Today, the SARAA Board continued investing in its facilities by awarding more than $1.7 million in contracts at three of its airports. Project awarded included:
| Project | Amount | Awarded to | Location |
| HIA Runway Rehab Bid Package 2 | $388,045 | Michael Baker Intl. | Harrisburg, PA |
| HIA Runway Rehab Construction Management | $998,405 | Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson | Harrisburg, PA |
| GRA Runway Rehab Ph. 4, Construction Management | $154,100 | Urban Engineers | Mechanicsburg, PA |
| Maintenance Truck – GA airports | $63,000 | State Contract | |
| Multi-Purpose Mover w/Attachments – HIA | $47,467 | State Contract | |
| Carpet Replacement – FAA Building CXY | $38,258 | Commercial Flooring Professionals, Inc. | Mechanicsburg, PA |
| HIA Parking Garage maintenance/repair | $23,200 | Desman | Pittsburgh, PA |
“Thanks to our continued partnerships with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation, we are able to purchase necessary maintenance equipment and complete important projects so our users and tenants can work in safe and well maintained environments,” said SARAA chairman Steve Libhart.
Tickets for PIT Service On Sale
Tickets are now on sale for the recently announced MDT-PIT nonstop service on Southern Airways Express, which starts on Oct. 31, 2016. Today is the last day to purchase tickets at the introductory fare of $99 each way for travel on most dates. Beginning September 1, regular fares will apply. Southern will offer three flights per day Monday through Friday, and one flight per day on weekends. For more information and to book your reservations, visit www.iFlySouthern.com
Cargo at HIA Up for Year
Through July 31, total HIA air freight tonnage has increased 5.8 percent when compared to the same period in 2015. Year-to-date FedEx tonnage is up 15.9 percent, resulting in a request to lease additional ramp space for aircraft operations. The request, approved today by SARAA, will generate an additional $4,107 in monthly revenue for the Authority.
The board also approved a request from UPS to lease approximately 7.4 acres on the Old Bethlehem Steel property to store truck trailers during their busy shipping season, September through February. This lease will generate an additional $10,360 in monthly revenue.
Passenger Traffic up in July
July was another busy month at HIA with a total of 107,943 passengers using HIA, a 12.7 percent increase over July of last year. Allegiant’s new service to Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers and Myrtle Beach, American’s increased service to Charlotte and more international passengers choosing Air Canada generated most of the increased traffic.
Seasonal Myrtle Beach Flight returns April 2017
Allegiant Airlines has released their schedule through May 2017 including the return of seasonal Myrtle Beach flights from HIA.
“When we announced the Allegiant’s expanded service a few months ago, we asked a question: ‘Would you rather spend eight hours driving on congested highways or less than two hours in the air when traveling to Myrtle Beach?’”, said Timothy Edwards, Executive Director of HIA. “So far, more than 7,000 people have chosen to fly. As a result, Allegiant will start its summer 2017 seasonal service to Myrtle Beach five weeks earlier—on Easter weekend—April 14, 2017.” Tickets can be purchased on www.allegiantair.com
The next SARAA Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at 8:00 am, in the David C. McIntosh Boardroom, located on the third floor of the HIA terminal building.