Southern Air Express, which currently offers low-fare daily flights from Bradford to Pittsburgh, plans a comprehensive marketing and outreach program to be released this spring, according to an announcement Wednesday at the Bradford Regional Airport Authority meeting.
The Memphis-based airline began flights at Bradford in June 2016 after acquiring Sun Air Express that formerly served Bradford also with low-cost fares to Pittsburgh.
In the airline report, Airport Manager Alicia Dankesreiter noted that 199 enplanements were registered during January. Of the 107 scheduled flights, 14 were canceled due to weather, while 16 were canceled because of operational or other reasons.
Many of the flights canceled for “operational” reasons were likely caused by Southern Air Express’ recent rapid growth, which has seen the airline expand service from eight to 22 cities during December and January. Due to the Federal Aviation Administration requirements, the airline was not getting additional pilots trained in time to meet the demand. “The airline is moving in the right direction with a plan to have additional pilots in the system by Feb. 20,” said Dankesreiter.
Authority members approved two agreements by unanimous votes. One was to stay with GAI Consultants, a Pittsburgh engineering, planning and environmental firm, for an additional five years.
After reviewing the two companies that submitted proposals for the contract, the airport advisory committee recommended the authority accept the GAI offer.
The authority members also OK’d a 15-year land lease with two five-year options for future economic development on the airport campus with MBC Development of Schuylkill Haven
Construction to enlarge the Transportation Safety Administration at the terminal building; work began this week. Construction is expected to last approximately three weeks.
In his report, maintenance facilitator David Thomas said GAI has been very helpful in moving forward with the Forest Oil hangar door and electrical upgrades project. The project, according to Thomas, is slated to bring an antiquated electrical system and make it current for all of the hangar’s future power needs.
Thomas noted the maintenance staff has been able to repair some machinery, thus reducing costs.
Responding to a question from an authority member, Thomas lauded his crew, saying experienced maintenance employees can remove snow from the longer of the facility’s two runways, ramps and a surrounding area in about one hour and 45 minutes. “These guys really put in long days,” Thomas.
Echoing that comment, Dankesreiter added, “Our maintenance men hate to have flights canceled here because of snow.”
Prior to considering the public agenda, the authority members met in a brief
executive session to discuss legal matters.
