American Eagles decision to resume daily service from three Pennsylvania airports to Chicago means that business fliers in Scranton, Allentown, and Harrisburg can ditch long-distance drives to catch their flights. Last week, the airline announced that it would add daily non-stop flights from the three to Chicagos OHare International next spring as part of a systemwide boost in service that also affects Pittsburgh.
For Harrisburg, the decision reinstates one of the mainstays of the airports business. American Eagle had flown the Chicago route for 23 years before canceling the service last November.
“Last summer, when fuel prices spiked, they were flying from here to Chicago and Dallas, and it became unprofitable,” explains Scot Miller, an airport spokesman. “The rates they needed to charge were too high, and people were driving to other gateways instead.” Now that fuel prices have moderated, American Eagle, a sister company of American Airlines, will reinstate the service for next year’s summer season, which begins April 6. The company will deploy 22 new aircraft as part of its expansion.
The Lehigh Valley International Airport will also resume three daily American Eagle non-stops to OHare. Wilkes Barre-Scranton International Airport will resume two. Pittsburgh International Airport will shift from two American Airlines and two American Eagle flights each day to three flights on the larger American Airlines equipment, providing more total seats, says American spokesman Tim Smith.
The overall number of jobs created by American Eagle’s decision has yet to be determined. Whether the company transfers its own employees, hires them locally, or subcontracts staffing to other firms, the increase in service will add about 14 jobs in Harrisburg, says Miller. The $4.50 handling fee on each ticket “could have a positive impact of a couple hundred thousand in revenue,” he says, depending on how full the flights are. The regional jets generally carry 50 to 70 passengers.
Source: Scott Miller, Harrisburg International Airport; Tim Smith, American Airlines
Writer: Chris O’Toole