BLUE RIBBON PANEL
On January 19 at the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, I announced that a Blue Ribbon Panel would be appointed in February to study the possibility of flights to points east of our County’s airport. Donald Ruggery, Chairman of the Blair County Airport Authority will be making the appointments. Anyone interested in serving on this panel should contact the Blair County Chamber and submit their name and contact information.
For years, citizens of this area have expressed concerns about the cost and selection of flights from the Altoona-Blair County Airport. As I explained in a previous article, flights from our airport are in compliance with the federal Essential Air Service Act. The route designated to comply with that act is the one currently being flown to and from Pittsburgh International Airport. These flights are eligible for a subsidy from the federal government and are now part of the U.S. Air Express service.
As many frequent fliers know, Baltimore Washington International Airport or BWI offers some of the lowest fares in this part of the country. No local airport flies to BWI so many of us have driven three hours or more to get there. Flights from our airport to BWI have long been discussed. Unfortunately, no commercial carrier has been willing to come into this market. Other locations such as Dulles International Airport or Philadelphia International Airport are also often proposed, but again, no carrier has been interested.
The people in Cambria County are in the same situation and have joined forces with us for the past two years to work as one market in this pursuit. By doubling the population, both airport authorities feel that they have a stronger marketing position.
The expectations for this soon to be appointed panel are mixed. Clearly, this predicament is not new. The airline industry is in difficulty and a market as small as ours provides no guaranteed success. However, airlines are rethinking their routes as money becomes tighter and regional jets traveling shorter distances are becoming a larger share of the airline industry. Perhaps some fresh minds on this somewhat stale subject will help us boldly go where no Blair Countian, at least from our airport, has gone before.
