Latest news with #HarrisburgInternationalAirport
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could 76-seat, two-class American Airlines jets soon be based at Harrisburg Int'l Airport?
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — It still has fewer flights and higher fares than larger airports, but that has been changing at Harrisburg International Airport, which also has something few other airports its size have: an airline's maintenance and crew base. Since 2022, Piedmont Airlines, which flies the 50-seat ERJ-145s commonly seen at the airport ('ERJ' stands for 'Embraer regional jet'), has based dozens of pilots and flight attendants at the airport, complementing a maintenance base that opened years earlier. Piedmont — which is headquartered in Salisbury, Maryland, and is a subsidiary of American Airlines — also has a Harrisburg-based human resources team. The Harrisburg presence means a lot of direct jobs and — although this part is harder to quantify — indirectly perhaps some flights that might not otherwise exist, because American has to route planes through Harrisburg for maintenance and to get its people to and from work. For perspective, Delta operates three daily flights to its Atlanta hub, which is the world's busiest airport, according to an abc27 analysis of Cirium schedule data; American operates seven daily flights to Charlotte. (Delta, operating larger aircraft, offers about half as many seats to Atlanta as American offers to Charlotte despite having fewer than half as many flights.) But there was an important potential problem for Piedmont's future — and thus for the future of its base in Harrisburg: Manufacturers haven't produced 50-seat jets in years, and airlines have been phasing them out in favor of larger regional jets, which passengers generally find to be more comfortable and airlines generally find to be more economical to operate. Piedmont currently operates 69 ERJ-145s, which are on average almost 22 years old, according to an abc27 analysis of Cirium airline fleet data. That meant one of two things: Sooner or later, either the airline would have to either phase in new planes — or phase itself out of existence, as other regional airlines have done (most recently Silver Airways just Wednesday, which once flew small planes branded 'Continental Express' for United's predecessor Continental Airlines). Fortunately for Piedmont — and by extenstion, for Harrisburg — the far better outcome is emerging: Piedmont announced it'll get 76-seat Embraer 175s, known as E175s, beginning in 2028. Unlike the current all-economy 50-seat jets, Piedmont's E175s — like others already flown for American by other regional airlines — will have 12 business-class seats in addition to 64 economy seats. 'So seeing that they're getting an upgrade in aircraft that allows them to continue their mission of flying for American and being part of the Central Pennsylvania community is really good news,' Scott Miller, Harrisburg International Airport's spokesman, said. 'The expansion represents a significant investment by parent company American Airlines Group,' Piedmont said in a statement of the 45 eventual E175s it expects to receive. During the transition, the airline plans to continues operating its 50-seat jets 'well into the 2030s,' the statement said. 'They provide all of our service to Philadelphia, to Boston, as well as some to Charlotte,' Scott Miller said of Piedmont. 'So upgrading to larger aircraft — more comfortable aircraft — is a huge benefit for the airport, for the region and for those who fly American.' Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Harrisburg is just one of three crew bases for Piedmont, alongside much larger Philadelphia and Charlotte, which are both American Airlines hubs. Piedmont has maintenance bases at those three airports plus Salisbury; Albany, New York; and in Virginia, Richmond and Roanoke. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Air show dazzles, delights at Harrisburg airport
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) — The Harrisburg International Airport is busier than usual this weekend, and it's not just Memorial Day travel. The Air Dot Show Central PA is in town this weekend. While some may have secured their spot to see the show at the airport near Middletown early, there wasn't a bad time to arrive. Berks native to lead F-16 Viper Demonstration Team at Harrisburg air show 'It's been great so far,' Anne Marie Lora told abc27 News. 'We've loved watching everything in the sky and all the trickster planes and all the smoke behind them. So we've really enjoyed our time here.' The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are the shows headline act and are back in the Midstate for the first time in decades. 'My husband and I actually remember it from when we were kids,' Megan Walsh said. PHOTOS: Air Dot Show thunders over Harrisburg 'I was a lot younger than what my son and actually my two sons, they're one of the ones that lives in Florida now. So, he's not here,' Andy Hirko said. 'But this year we're able to bring the grandson along, too. He loves it. He loves the Blue Angels. He's been taking pictures of everything, the F-35, the F-16. So he's really excited and just doing a lot of pictures.' A lot may have changed at Harrisburg International Airport since the Blue Angels' last appearance here, a lot has stayed the same. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices The air show wraps up Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Getting ready for the Central Pennsylvania Air Dot Show
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Blue Angels are soaring into the Midstate this weekend. They're taking part in a huge air show at Harrisburg International Airport, making its way here for the very first time in more than 30 years. Training is going on Friday for this weekend's shows on Saturday and Sunday. Chris Dirato, who is doing PR for this event, says to expect 'lots of loud and boisterous action in the sky.' 'Of course, the US Navy Blue Angels are here as our headliner, first time in over three decades so everybody is excited to see the Blue Angels, but excited to have an air show back in Harrisburg,' Dirato said. The event also includes performances by a Viper team and parachutists. 'That's right, we have a whole, a plethora, of performers, how's that for a line,' Dirato said. 'But a combination of civilian, military performers. The F-16 Viper Demo pilot is of course from Berks County, so local guy.' If you are trying to score last-minute tickets, you're out of luck. 'We are basically sold out, so if you don't have a ticket, unfortunately, I wouldn't advise coming out to the airport,' Dirato said. 'All the parking areas will be loaded with cars. So yeah, we are sold out, and of course, next year, we already know the Blue Angels are coming back, so if you can't see them this year, you'll be able to see them next year.' Blue Angels visit Penn State Health Children's Hospital Make sure you get those tickets early though for next year if you can. 'That's right, as soon as they go on sale,' Dirato said. The gates open at 9 a.m., and performances kick off at noon. Dirato added that the Blue Angels go on at 2:30 p.m. For travelers who are wondering how they factor in flights with these performances. The airports work with airlines so if you have a flight there will be breaks during the show. For a lot of people attending, they have never seen the Blue Angels before since they have not been here in about 30 years, so we are getting spoiled with them coming to the Midstate back-to-back. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The pilots said they hope they inspire some young person to join the military and serve our country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blue Angels to headline Central Pennsylvania Air Dot Show
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)– The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are set to headline the 2025 Central Pennsylvania Air Dot Show at Harrisburg International Airport in May. According to the Air Dot Show, the Blue Angels will visit the Harrisburg International Airport on May 24 and 25, making it their third stop on the 2025 Air Dot Show Tour. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Morning Weather Forecast The Blue Angels won't be the only attraction at this year's event. The Air Dot Show says spectators can also enjoy watching the F-16 Viper demo team in action, aerobatic pilot Michael Goulian, the West Point Parachute Team, and more. General admission starts at $39.99, with fewer than 1,300 tickets available. VIP seating is already sold out. Purchase tickets and learn more about the show on the Air Dot Show website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Finally a pleasant and dry day ahead before more showers and storms return tomorrow
TODAY: Partly Cloudy, Pleasant. Hi 74. TONIGHT: Partly Cloudy. Lo 54. THURSDAY: Scattered PM Showers & T-Storms. Hi 74. Another round of downpours and thunderstorms moved through the region yesterday afternoon and evening, thanks to an upper low that finally pulled away overnight. Yesterday's official rain total was over 1″ at Harrisburg International Airport, bringing the monthly total (so far) to 2.07″, which is over an inch above normal for May. The ongoing drought isn't magically gone, but this month has greatly helped. Today will bring pleasant and dry weather to Central PA with highs in the 70s this afternoon. While the rain was needed locally, it will be nice to spend some time outdoors without the threat of rain or storms. That won't last long, however, as another trough looks to set up across the Northeast for the end of the week. Showers and thunderstorms return tomorrow afternoon and evening after a sunny start. Periods of rain linger through Friday with a cool day on tap. Friday's highs will be stuck in the lower 60s. The good news? The trough lifts out by Mother's Day weekend! Saturday will bring clearing skies and a pleasant afternoon with highs near 70°. Mother's Day looks to be one of the nicest days this week with mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower 70s. Can we finally get the nicest weather of the week to arrive for the weekend? It sure seems like it this time! We'll keep you posted on the trends! Enjoy today's dry weather! Get outside! -Meteorologist Brett Thackara Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
