January 2011 traffic up nearly 6%

(Middletown, PA – February 23, 2011)  The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) reported today that 96,700 passengers—an increase of 5.8 percent when compared to January 2010—arrived or departed Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) during January 2010.  January was the eleventh consecutive month of passenger traffic growth. 

“Both US Airways—which had its busiest January since 2008—and American Eagle produced the passenger traffic growth last month,” said Fred Sembach, SARAA board member.    “The traffic increase probably would have been greater if not for all the bad weather in the Northeastern and Southern portions of the United States that hurt traffic results primarily on Continental and Delta.”  

Sembach noted that the Authority is closely watching the cost of fuel and the impact it has on airfares.  “As all the airlines continue to raise fares nationwide to deal with rising energy costs, we’ll have to see what impact it has on HIA traffic.

SARAA APPROVES 2 NEW AGREEMENTS

The SARAA Board today approved an agreement with Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC on a Hybrid Hourly/Contingent Fee arrangement to represent SARAA in filing and pursuing an administrative claim against the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  Executive Director Tim Edwards explained, since the new terminal complex opened in 2004, SARAA has been trying to get the TSA to provide the final $5.5 million reimbursement payment for the in-line baggage system located in the terminal building’s basement.  To date, SARAA has received $12.0 million of the $17.5 million cost of installation.

The SARAA Board also approved a month to month lease with the Grace and Mercy Church and Ministries for use of the Ann Street Church.  The lease amount will be $100 per month plus utilities.  “This is a great opportunity for the Authority to partner with a local organization so that an unused airport asset can be used by a worthy organization,” said Sembach. 

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AWARDED

Buchart Horn of York PA was awarded a not to exceed contract of $73,500 to provide construction management services for the rehabilitation of Runway 8-26 at Capital City Airport.  The $930,000 Runway 8-26 rehabilitation project will take place this summer.  Since 1998, SARAA has invested more than $7 million into infrastructure and other improvements at the facility.

$675,000 IN TAXES PROVIDED TO LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES

During 2010, due to a 7.4% increase in HIA passenger traffic, more than $675,000 in parking tax revenue was collected and distributed to three local municipalities—a 20% increase over 2009.  The Middletown Area School District receives about 70 percent of the tax revenue; Lower Swatara Township receives about 25% of the tax revenue while the Borough of Middletown receives about 5% of the tax revenue.  Sembach noted that “airport activity is a significant revenue generator for our region.  As more people are able to utilize the services of the airport, our economic impact on the community can increase dramatically.” 

The next SARAA Board meeting will take place at 8:00 am on Wednesday, March, 23^rd 2011 in the David C. McIntosh Board Room, located on the third floor of the new terminal building, One Terminal Drive, Middletown, PA.