Officials of Southern Air Express, the low-cost carrier serving Bradford, updated the Bradford Regional Airport Authority on Wednesday about the airline’s current events, including security pre-check and online check in — both of which will make traveling more convenient.

R. Keith Sisson, chief marketing officer, and Mark Cestari, executive vice president of business development, also answered authority members’ questions and concerns.

Sisson said Southern Air Express is now participating in the Transportation Security Administration’s Pre-Check program, an expedited screening initiative for trusted travelers that reduces wait times at that agency’s points at airports.

Applications for pre-check status can be submitted online. With a five-year, $85 membership, approved passengers can move quickly through security screening without removing shoes, liquids, belts, laptops and light jackets.

“While pre-check isn’t available in Bradford, it significantly helps Bradford passengers getting on planes in Pittsburgh,” Sisson said.

Southern Air also has instituted online check-in from home or office via the internet, according to Sisson. “Within the next several months, we hope to have mobile check-ins via cell phones throughout the Southern Air Express system,” he added.

Sisson also said the upgrade of the Southern Air website is now in progress, and a new airline management software system is being added.

Additionally, a new digital departure board showing information about flights and weather is being used now in Lancaster first, and should be a benefit to passengers, according to Sisson. Bringing one of these boards to Bradford is in the plans.

Cestari provided Bradford’s daily passenger counts for February, which stood at an average of 10.8 passengers which still exceeds the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) minimum of 10 per day. Eighty-one percent of the scheduled flights were operational. Cancelled flights were due to weather and operational reasons.

Both figures for February were better than those for January.

Airport Manager Alicia Dankesreiter said, “March bookings are already off to a good start.”

At the authority’s February meeting, it was reported that some flight cancellations for “operational” reasons were likely due to Southern Air’s rapid growth, which had seen the airline expanding service from eight to 22 cities during December and January.

Due to the Federal Aviation Administration’s requirements, the airline was unable to get additional pilots trained in time. At that time, the airline had put a plan in place to have additional pilots in place by Feb. 20.

While it was difficult to have pilots trained during the Christmas season last year, five captains have joined the airline, with six more slated to join in the next eight days. Furthermore, five additional pilots are in the next training class.

“With just under 80 pilots now, we’re adequately staffed,” Sisson stated after reporting the airline has quadrupled in one year. “I’m happy with where we are now with pilots and fleet.”

Southern Air had begun talks about purchasing Seaborne Airlines in Puerto Rico, but a change in governmental administration there has delayed negotiations. Sisson said, “Our first goal is to purchase this airline because of its connections to American, Delta, United and JetBlue. This can open doors we never had before.”

Authority member Rob Huber mentioned the key role of Southern Air keeping low fares.

“We’re not planning any fare increases,” replied Sisson.

Meanwhile, Southern Air plans to use its database to reach out to customers who may have had flights canceled this winter.

Another authority member, John Satterwhite, asked Southern Air officials what the authority can do to promote the airline, which offers daily service only to the Pittsburgh International Airport.

“Support and confidence,” Sisson answered. “You’ve never wavered in your support while our expansion plan was rolled out.”

Responding to the same question, Cestari said, “Encourage local travelers and vendors to use the airport with corporate discounts available. Plus, there are now 67 non-stop departures out of Pittsburgh.”

Ken Kane, also an authority member, cited the importance of keeping the Essential Air Service contract “because it’s essential for this region’s economic development.”

In other business, the airport has signed a land lease with MBC Development for the construction of new state police barracks at the airport. surveying has already begun.

The airport has also executed a lease, pending legal review, with PA Partners Inc. for the remaining 20,000-square-feet of space in the airport’s multi-tenant center. PA Partners is applying for one of 25 statewide permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Health in the category as a grower and producer of medical marijuana. There is a termination clause in the agreement if the application is denied.

“This is not a dispensary,” Huber emphasized.

In his report, David Thomas, facilities manager, said the Forest Oil hangar project is still under review at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Bird netting is to be purchased this month and installed as time allows to assist the general aviation tenants for bird control within that hangar.

Thomas also said that pre-planning for the triennial airport exercise, a mandatory exercise in cooperation with local emergency organizations, is slated for March 14.

The authority members met in an executive session for about 15 minutes to discuss legal matters.