Williamsport Regional Airport

The groundwork for the airport began as early as 1920. Three men purchased two-hundred-acre plot, John A. and Andrew W. Siegel, and Joseph A. Heim. In April 1927 the Williamsport Chamber of Commerce realized the immense economic impact that having a permanent airport could have on the area. 

In 1954, there were three major airlines that worked out of Williamsport airport; Trans World Airlines (TWA), Capital, and Allegheny. There were twenty-two flights everyday that flew to Philadelphia, New York, Harrisburg, and many others. Everyday there were flights that went to Albany NY, Washington DC, Chicago, even across the country to Los Angeles. 

Williamsport airport later only serviced flights to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with US Airways. US Airways became the main airline company that conducted flights out of Williamsport after Allegheny Airlines grew into US Airways. In 2004, US Airways ended flights to Pittsburgh International Airport. As of June of 2016, American Eagle, flies three flights to Philadelphia International Airport daily. This was due to a deal with United Airlines in 2010. The deal with United would make US Airways bigger but would affect the smaller regional airports such as Johnstown, Williamsport, Altoona, Bradford, State College and Reading.     

In May of 2018, an article was published in the local newspaper, about a big project at the airport that would include a new terminal building, that opened on October 15, 2018. The terminal opened at 6:09 am, with a flight to Philadelphia. Passengers noted that the prices of flying out of Williamsport went down encouraging people that would have to go to another airport such as Harrisburg or Philadelphia. Williamsport airport has also upgraded its airfield. Improvements have been made to medium intensity runway landing lights, that would make the airport more competitive with other airports in the area. These improvements mean that planes will be able to land at the airport much easier in adverse weather conditions. 

“Airport History.” Williamsport Regional Airport. Williamsport Regional Airport. Accessed November 7, 2019. http://www.flyipt.com/airport-history. 

Buynovsky, Sarah. “New Terminal Opens at Williamsport Regional Airport.” WNEP.com, October 15, 2018. https://wnep.com/2018/10/15/new-terminal-opens-at-williamsport-regional-airport/.

Hibbard, Katelyn. “Williamsport Regional Airport Improvement Projects Continue.” Williamsport Sun Gazette, May 11, 2018. https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2018/05/williamsport-regional-airport-improvement-projects-continue/. 

Hibbard, Katelyn. “Lighting System Makes Airport ‘Competitive.’” Williamsport Sun Gazette, April 13, 2019. https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2019/04/lighting-system-makes-airport-competitive/. 

“A piece of our Past” April 29, 2002 

"A modern Airport in Williamsport in 1929"

Sorkin, Andrew Ross, and Jad Mouawad. “United Is in Merger Talks With US Airways.” The New York Times. The New York Times, April 8, 2010. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/business/08air.html.

“United Airlines-US Airways Merger.” Google Books. Google, June 26, 2000. https://books.google.com/books?id=UOFZTHYeWagC&pg=PA37&lpg=PA37&dq=us+air+forced+out+of+williamsport+airport&source=bl&ots=IYl6wM3yQS&sig=ACfU3U2bgzz7EvpaSQUZCZj3mP-MvVFkFA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWjK7gmJ_mAhXrzVkKHZoLAI44ChDoATAEegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=us air forced out of williamsport airport&f=false. 

Photos:

“Opening of Williamsport airport” Vincent Smith, July 20, 1929

“Destination and Departure sheet” Transcontinental and Western Air Inc. Putsee Vannucci    

“Williamsport Airport Saturday July 20th” Gazette Bulletin, July 18, 1929.