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Allegiant will offer flights from LVIA to Chicago starting in May

As Allegiant Travel Co. prepares to open its aircraft base at Lehigh Valley International Airport next month, the company has started branching out to offer new routes for travelers. (Submitted) –

As Allegiant Travel Co. prepares to open its aircraft base at Lehigh Valley International Airport next month, the company is branching out to offer new routes for travelers.

Today, the Las Vegas-based company said it will offer service to Chicago Midway International Airport from LVIA starting May 14.

LVIA, based in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, already announced three new destinations last year and officials see this newest offering as an effective way to increase travel options.

“This announcement is a clear demonstration that Allegiant’s decision to bring their 18^th aircraft crew base to the Lehigh Valley in February 2020 will bolster air travel options for everyone in the region,” said Thomas Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, in a statement.

He described Midway as a popular landing spot for business or leisure travelers and one which also can be an additional connection point to anywhere in the world.

“We are counting down the days to welcome home these critical Allegiant staff members into your neighborhood airport,” Stoudt said. “Passenger demand has grown consistently year after year. The arrival of locally-based crews brings an exciting element to this partnership’s continued success.”

From LVIA, Allegiant already offers non-stop flights to Clearwater/St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Punta Gorda, Orlando/Sanford, Sarasota/Bradenton and Savannah/Hilton Head.

In August Allegiant announced a $50 million investment to establish its new base of operations, which will house two Airbus aircraft and operational/airline services, with base operations set to begin on Feb. 12.

Colin Riccobon, spokesperson for LNAA, said LVIA already offers service to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago but this Midway route will be a new avenue of service for the company.

In a news release about its 44 new routes, which include the LVIA Midway route, Allegiant said it is the largest expansion in Allegiant’s history. Most of Allegiant’s 44 new routes are non-competitive, with no other airline providing service between those airports, the company said.

LVIA surpasses last year’s travel numbers

The year isn’t quite over, but Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County said it has already surpassed last year’s passenger traffic.

The airport saw 792,974 travelers for all of 2018. It had reached more than 800,000 travelers by the end of November of this year.

November had 71,098 passengers using the airport, a 2.43 percent increase over the 69,414 who traveled through LVIA in November 2018.

The airport expects to have a busy December, which is typical during the holidays.

Thomas Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, said for the most part the weather has helped with the higher passenger traffic numbers.

“Even with a temporary reduction of service to Chicago – that typically happens as airlines prepare for unsettled weather in the Midwest – ABE still delivered a very strong month of traffic by Allegiant and American. We’re hoping that momentum carries us to the finish line of a memorable year,” said Stoudt.

Allegiant reported a passenger traffic increase of 28.9 percent, while American jumped 17.1 percent. Delta declined in traffic for the month by 5.9 percent and United experienced a sharp drop of 34 percent, due to a scheduled removal of one daily flight to Chicago.

This was the 26^th consecutive month that the airport saw a growth in traffic.

Airport authority approves $49.1M capital improvement program

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority plans to build a $22 million security checkpoint and terminal connector at LVIA in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, expected to be complete in 2022. (Submitted) –

With an eye on reinvesting in its infrastructure and expanding services, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority board of governors approved a $36.7 million operating budget for all three of its aviation facilities, plus a nearly $49.1 million capital improvement program for 2020.

The operating budget and capital improvements cover Lehigh Valley International Airport, Queen City Airport and Braden Airpark. The operating budget showed a $3 million increase over last year, while the capital improvement program showed a $7.4 million increase. In comparison, last year, the board approved a $33.7 million operating budget and $41.7 million capital improvement program, airport officials said.

The investment is a good reflection of the region and the economy, airport officials said, noting that large-scale infrastructure projects are job creators, often for companies in the Lehigh Valley.

In October, the authority announced plans to build a $22 million security checkpoint and terminal connector at LVIA in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, expected to be complete in 2022. The project would eliminate multiple vertical transitions for passengers and streamline traffic flow. In addition, it would add two additional Transportation Security Administration screening lanes.

“If you really dissect the numbers, the airport authority’s core business of airfield and facility management is driving the revenue increases for 2020,” said Todd Quann, director of finance and administration at LNAA, in a news release. “Twenty five consecutive months of passenger traffic increases, additional flights/destinations has resulted in more people using the facility.”

Since 2015, the airport authority self-funded about $38 million in the capital improvement program. For 2020, it has earmarked $17.7 million for projects.

At LVIA, these projects include Runway 6/24 rehabilitation; phase one of the TSA Security Checkpoint connector design and construction, and the main terminal parking lot rehabilitation.

At Queen City Airport, the projects include updating the master plan and removing obstructions.

In addition, at Braden Airpark, the authority is planning for phase two construction of a new terminal building.

The funds in the capital improvement program also include grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration and PennDOT Bureau of Aviation.

The board approved the 2020 budget at its monthly meeting on Nov. 26 at Lehigh Valley Hospital- Muhlenberg.

Lehigh Valley to be featured in Delta in-flight magazine

Delta Air Lines will be featuring the Lehigh Valley in this month’s edition of its in-flight magazine, Delta Sky Magazine. (Submitted) –

The next time you’re flying out on a business trip, you might just find a little bit of home in the seat pocket in front of you.

Delta Air Lines will be featuring the Lehigh Valley in this month’s edition of its in-flight magazine, Delta Sky Magazine, giving the region exposure to around 6 million of its passengers, about half of whom are leading business professionals.

There will be a 26-page special focus section in the December edition of Delta Sky, which just happens to be the busiest month of the year for flying.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. pointed out that it’s quite an honor to be selected for such a feature.

“Only a handful of regions or cities are selected for this honor each year, with Lehigh Valley joining the ranks of such areas as Atlanta, St. Louis, Columbus, and Salt Lake City,” it stated in a release.

“It’s a major accomplishment for Lehigh Valley to be chosen for this feature in the most widely-read airline magazine in the country, an honor usually reserved for places that are household names,” said Don Cunningham, president & CEO of the LVEDC. “This clearly shows the Lehigh Valley is being recognized as one of the leading metropolitan areas of the United States. For a long time, we haven’t received the recognition we’ve deserved, but that is changing.”

The magazine feature was unveiled for the first time during a Dec. 3 launch party at Lehigh Valley International Airport.

Lehigh Valley was previously featured in a similar way by American Airlines. The region was the focus of a 24-page feature in American Way, the airline’s in-flight magazine. A PDF of that feature, called Spotlight Lehigh Valley, can be viewed here.

United Airlines launches its newest regional plane at LVIA

United Airlines debuted its newest regional plane at LVIA and Harrisburg International airports. (Submitted) –

United Airlines introduced its newest regional plane as part of a national tour last week, offering travelers flying out of Lehigh Valley and Harrisburg International airports the opportunity to travel first-class on short regional trips.

During a stop at Harrisburg last week, United executives highlighted the features of the CRJ-550, a 50-seat, two-cabin aircraft, according to a news release.

United developed the regional plane with business customers in mind, many of whom travel between airports like Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, and United’s hub in Chicago.

The plane offers economy class seating in addition to economy, economy-plus and first-class seating. The planes have 20 seats in economy class, 20 in economy-plus and 10 in first-class.

The cabin offers more legroom, space for roller bags and a self-serve refreshment center for first-class passengers.

“Having this aircraft serving business travelers in the Lehigh Valley certainly enhances the customer experience at ABE [Allentown Bethlehem Easton airport] and makes our airport an attractive option for flights to Chicago,” said Thomas Stoudt, executive director of Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority. “You typically hear about aircraft leg room and comfort shrinking on passengers, but United has reversed that trend by transforming a 70-seat regional jet to 50 seats which creates a very comfortable cabin for everyone.”

United began offering the service on Oct. 27 and will continue to expand the service as it brings additional CRJ-550 aircraft into its fleet, said United officials.

LVIA reports passenger growth continues

Lehigh Valley International Airport said it’s had consistent growth for 25 straight months now. It is reporting 77,794 passengers traveled through the airport in October, that’s an 11.56 percent increase over October of last year.

“ABE has already served over 760,000 passengers which equates to 16 percent growth year to date. We anticipate another busy holiday travel season and our staff is excited to ensure a comfortable environment for travelers using their neighborhood airport which includes the return of the holiday concert series featuring local schools and the festival of trees,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

Of the airlines at the airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, American reported a passenger traffic increase of 28.7 percent, while Allegiant jumped 15.1 percent, and United was up 4.3 percent. Delta posted a decline in traffic of 2.5 percent.

Stoudt said the growth in passenger traffic is expected to continue. He pointed to the addition of new flights to Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida early next year, Allegiant moving its crew base operation to the Airport in February and a $22 million TSA Checkpoint and Vertical Circulation improvement project being planned as potential contributors to future growth.

Allegiant adds new route to LVIA

Allegiant said it would offer service from Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport beginning Feb. 13, 2020. In addition, the company is offering one-way fares on the new route for $65. –

The new seasonal flights will operate twice weekly. With the addition of this new route, Allegiant will now serve eight cities from LVIA.

Sarasota marks the airport’s 14^th non-stop destination.

It’s also the fourth air service announcement the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority made this year, said Colin Riccobon, spokesperson for LNAA.

As the third newest non-stop destination, the Sarasota-Bradenton route could further boost passenger traffic at the airport, according to Riccobon.

“Any leisure destination is always a popular one,” Riccobon said. “For Allegiant, it’s a growing destination for them where they’ve seen some requests to add this service.”

LVIA now offers five Florida destinations with the addition of this new route.

With Allegiant set to establish an aircraft base at LVIA that would open in February 2020, that too opens possibilities for additional routes, he added.

LVIA reports two years of steady growth, record September

Passenger traffic at Lehigh Valley International Airport has reached its highest level in nine years.

Traffic for September was 66,854 trips, up nearly 17 percent over September 2018 when there were 57,195 trips.

It’s the highest volume of passenger traffic since September 2010.

The airport authority also noted that this marked the 24^th consecutive month of positive passenger traffic growth.

“It’s truly remarkable to see this steady increase over a 24 month period. The airport remains grateful for the loyalty of our passengers; the commitment of airlines to expand service options and offer more seats in the market with larger aircraft; plus, the dedication of staff to ensure the customer experience in your neighborhood airport is unmatched,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

By airline, United reported a total passenger increase of 44 percent, American jumped 36.7 percent, with Allegiant following at 10 percent up. Delta posted a minimal decline in traffic of 2.8 percent.

$2.8M state grant will help fund new aviation hangar at LVIA

Hangar 11 at Lehigh Valley International Airport (File Photo) –

A $16 million aviation hangar under construction off Postal Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, will get a boost in funding from the state.

On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of $13.7 million in grant funding to make infrastructure and equipment upgrades at nearly 30 Pennsylvania airports, including $2.8 million for Lehigh Valley International Airport, which it will use to help fund Hangar 11.

Hangar 11, the first hangar built at LVIA since 2006, began construction last summer.
The new 54,000-square-foot hangar will fit all types of general aviation aircraft, in addition to large ones that weigh up to 100,000 pounds.

“There’s a lot of interest in hangar space,” said Thomas Stoudt, executive director of Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

The project should be complete at the end of the year.

In addition to the $2.8 million the airport authority received from the state, it also received $6 million from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation to help fund the project last year.

The project experienced delays with utility relocation and the winter weather, said Colin Riccobon, director of public and government relations for the LNAA.

The total project includes costs for engineering and design, along with the construction management for inspection, administration and field-testing services, he said.

So far, he does not have any tenants secured, he added.

Riccobon said the authority had significant interest for Hangar 11 but has no signed documents.

The state funding for the airports comes through PennDOT’s Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, Aviation Development Program, and the Multimodal Fund.

Other airports also will receive funding, including:

Reading Regional Airport in Berks County, which will receive $18,750 to acquire snow removal equipment, $150,000 for rehabilitating portions of the north and west apron pavement areas and $180,000 to construct a de-icing material storage building.
In Bucks County, Quakertown Airport will get $110,000 to purchase property that will help protect the approaches to the airport’s runway.
Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport in Monroe County will receive $150,000 for designing the replacement of the fuel farm.

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