Commuter air service to D.C. resumes at Williamsport Regional Airport

Rick Dandes, The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
·3 min read

May 23—MONTOURSVILLE — Commuter commercial passenger service resumed at the Williamsport Regional Airport (IPT), with the inaugural Southern Airways Express flight from Dulles International Airport in D.C. touching down in Williamsport at 9:30 a.m.

The first official incoming flight arrived on time with a passenger list that included area dignitaries and officials/representatives from regional business leaders, including Jason Fink, president/CEO, of Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, and Richard Howell executive director of the Williamsport Regional Airport.

There will be 10 passenger flights a week, each transporting a maximum of nine passengers to or from Dulles. Flights can be booked through: iFlySouthern.com for Southern Airways and three major carriers, United.com, American Airlines — AA.com, and AlaskaAir.com.

"Convenience and accessibility are two major factors with this service," Howell said. "When you arrive, it's a short walk from our parking area into the terminal. Check-in and TSA screening is very short and easy. There are no long lines for boarding and the experience is similar to flying in a private aircraft environment."

The Southern flight inbound to IPT took less than an hour, despite the airline website estimate of 1 hour and 34 minutes, Fink said. "Flying on the smaller plane was incredibly tranquil, not a lot of chatter or anxious flyers. I felt like I chartered a flight, the flight was smooth. The crew, facility, and operations at Dulles were top-notch, with no delays. We took off and it was a nice hour-long flight."

"For nearly two years," said U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, Dallas, whose district includes the airport. "I've worked with congressional leaders, community stakeholders, and private industry to help secure the return of commercial air service to Williamsport Regional Airport."

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who was also instrumental in helping to bring commercial flights to Williamsport said, "The Williamsport airport is a lifeline for Lycoming County and the entire region, providing jobs and boosting the local economy. I fought to secure federal funding to make sure it could reopen, and thanks to the hard work of airport leadership and perseverance of the community, passengers will now be able to fly in and out of Williamsport for the first time since the pandemic."

The inaugural flight between Washington and Williamsport is the culmination of the persistent efforts by many, Meuser said.

"I congratulate Frank Pellegrino, Richard Howell, and the Williamsport Airport Authority on this achievement," he said. "Thank you to Southern Airways for your partnership; this route signifies a gateway to new economic opportunities and enhanced connectivity for Williamsport and the surrounding regions. There is more work to be done, and in Congress, I will continue fighting to advance policies that sustain and expand rural air service in our district."

"We are incredibly excited about Williamsport as a new location," Southern Airways Express Airline Chief Commercial Officer Mark Cestari said. "This inaugural flight marks a new relationship with us and the reception we have received so far has been tremendous."

"The Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority deserves a tremendous amount of credit for restoring air service in Lycoming County," Meuser said. "Their tireless efforts have led to this logistical triumph, and I'm happy to have worked with them to accomplish this goal."