Jan. 30—PITTSTON TWP. — At a meeting that began with a moment of silence for the victims of a crash between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport late Wednesday, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Bi-County Board heard some impressive news about increased passenger flow.
Executive Director Carl Beardsley asked for the moment to remember the 67 people — including three soldiers and more than a dozen figure skaters — who were killed near Washington, D.C. The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash late Wednesday. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter.
Beardsley and Eric McKitish, the airport’s Director of Marketing, Communications and Air Service Development, reported that in 2024, total passengers were up 31% over 2023 — 469,092 in 2024, compared to 235,751 in 2023.
Beardsley said passenger boardings for the month of December 2024 increased 64.9% to 23,800 — up from 14,437 in the month of December 2023. He said boardings were up 31% for the year.
In December 2024, Beardsley said 1 departing flight was canceled due to weather — this accounts for 137 (0.4/%) out of a total of 31,003 departure seats. Also, 1 arriving flight was canceled for weather.
Beardsley and McKitish reported seat availability was up 80% overall for December and 36% for the year.
McKitish also noted that Thursday was the one-year anniversary of Breeze Airways providing service at the airport.
“This is a lot of good news,” Beardsley said.
In other business, the board:
—Elected Lackawanna County Commissioner Matt McGloin as chair and Luzerne County Councilwoman LeeAnn McDermott as vice chair.
—Approved the financial report that showed a profit of $140,768 as compared to a loss in 2023 of $793,248, a difference of $934,016.
—Appointed Betty J. Teichman, Bloomsburg, as assistant airport director, effective Feb. 24.
—Appointed Ben Turner, Scranton, to second shift supervisor, effective Feb. 3.
—Accepted the retirement of Frank Demarco, Dunmore, Maintenance 1, effective Jan. 18.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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