"Harrisburg International Airport sees passenger growth"

Wednesday, February 24, 2005

Harrisburg International Airport sees passenger growth
The York (PA) Daily Record


For years, Harrisburg International Airport officials have been trying to
get central Pennsylvania residents to give the airport a second look before
driving to Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

And now, it seems they are.

Harrisburg International Airport reported that its passenger numbers in 2004
climbed to 1.39 million, a 5 percent increase over 2003 figures. This is the
third consecutive year that HIA has seen growth in its passenger numbers.

"People are starting to check out the airport," said Alfred Testa Jr., HIA's
director of aviation.

Historically, HIA was losing potential passengers, particularly passengers
from southern York County, to BWI. The Pennsylvania airport could not
compete with the cheap fares offered at BWI through discount carriers such
as Southwest Airlines.

To combat that, HIA officials, for the last several years, have touted
convenience over cost.

At HIA, Testa said, passengers don't have to wait in long lines. People
don't have to arrive two hours before their flights are scheduled to leave,
he said.

"What price is convenience?" Testa asked. "An hour to an hour and 10 minutes
is all it takes."

A new terminal, which opened Aug. 29, and more flights have helped fuel the
increase in passengers at HIA.

The new terminal offers passengers more food choices, wireless service, an
airport club for frequent fliers and two newsstands.

"That's helping," Testa said. "It's just much easier to get in and out of
the airport."

Passengers also are having an easier time finding flights.HIA, for example,
now has four flights daily to Charlotte, N.C., instead of two. The airport
is continuing to try to get new airlines and new flights at HIA, Testa said.

But convincing airlines, many of which are facing financial difficulties,
can be a tough sell.

"Airlines are pretty risk-adverse today," he said.

Even if the airport is unable to attract another airline or more routes,
Testa is confident that passenger numbers will continue to grow in 2005.
Airport officials have planned for 21/2-percent growth in passengers. Testa
said he thinks the airport will likely see growth more along the lines of 7
percent.

And growth at HIA should lead to growth in York County.

"It's almost hard to describe the magic of economic development that comes
from an airport," said Tom Donley, president of the York County Chamber of
Commerce. "York is in a good transportation hub to begin with."

Continued growth at HIA also should make it easier for companies doing
business in York County.

"Time and money is critical to doing business," Donley said.


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