Pocono News Section

Feds Say "No" to U.S. Airways Pullout

Feds Say "No" to U.S. Airways Pullout - Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 5:50PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 @ 05:50pm EST
Montoursville, Lycoming County-

The federal government today turned down one airline's request to stop service at a Central Pennsylvania airport. We spoke with some frequent fliers who couldn't be happier with the decision.

Gail Rivard just flew in from Georgia. She was thrilled to hear that the U. S. Department of Transportation denied U. S. Airways' request to stop flights at Williamsport Regional.

Rivard noted, "I'm glad that service has to be maintained here. My family is here and this is infinitely more convenient for them than driving 2 hours each way someplace else to retrieve me."

Others who use the airport agree. Vera Vandervelde, of Hughesville, said, "It's nice when someone can come in because I live only a few miles away, and other than that, you'd have to go to Harrisburg or Philadelphia."

The ruling means business will continue as usual until a new commercial carrier can be found. If needed, federal money will be tapped to keep U. S. Airways jets in the sky here.

"So I stress, we are open for business here at the airport, and there will be no interruption in our commercial passenger service," Airport Authority Chairman Mark Murawski explained.

Commercial carriers, including U. S. Airways, will now have until the end of July to submit air service proposals to the U. S. Department of Transportation. The feds, with input from airport officials, will then choose the best proposal. Murawski added, "We're looking at, hopefully, somebody submitting a proposal that maintains international connections for us."

Daily flights could be reduced under those new proposals. But travelers we spoke with say, anything is better than nothing. Rivard noted, "Two flights instead of four or five might be a viable option, but to just cut it completely I don't think is a good thing to do at this point."

A U. S. Airways spokesperson says they would only remain at Williamsport Regional if federal funding is made permanently available.