JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Passenger numbers set new annual records at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport as the busy holiday season continues.
The total of 14,600 paid boardings, or “enplanements,” through Oct. 31 surpassed last year’s previously record number, airport officials were told Tuesday.
The combined number of inbound and outbound travelers was 28,747, another record, SkyWest Airlines supervisor Nathan Pilkington said.
Compared to the same ten months in 2023, the number of passengers at the airport is slightly more than 20% higher than last year.
Just as importantly, reaching the 10,000 aircraft milestone for the second year in a row keeps the airport on track for “Primary” status under the federal Airport Improvement Program.
If the airport can reach 10,000 aircraft again by 2025, it would increase the annual federal allocation from $150,000 to $1 million.
“That has been our goal for a long time,” said chairman Rick McQuaide.
“We just need to get another year” of 10,000 planes.
Airport Manager Cory Cree says this year’s figures confirm the airport authority made the right choice four years ago when it chose to switch to SkyWest Airlines.
“It’s a real honor for them,” Cree said.
SkyWest operates daily flights under the United Express brand on 50-seat aircraft to two U.S. hubs: Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
The airline recently worked with the airport to adjust its flight schedule for the Christmas period and increase opportunities for passengers to make early connections to Florida.
Between Dec. 13 and Jan. 6, flights will depart Johnstown at 6:10 a.m., providing morning connections from Dulles to Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and other cities, United.com shows.
Restaurant subsidy
In other news, the airport also received a $100,000 grant to allow for new upgrades to the restaurant space that will be occupied by Balance Restaurant in January.
Airport authority officials secured $100,000 in funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development with support from state Rep. Jim Rigby, R-Ferndale, Cree said.
Those funds can be used for renovations, furnishings and upgrades to restaurant equipment, with 60% of the funds to be used for the latter, Cree said. Airport authority officials said some of the money could be used to expand the bar’s dining space by replacing the bar top.
Cree said officials met with Balance Restaurant operators Amanda Artim and Dallas Pursley about various options for the best use of funds.
According to plans, Balance plans to open the café space first, focusing on grab-and-go items and other quick bites, while also offering a kiosk-style area offering newspapers and magazines for sale to travelers.
Once any restaurant upgrades are completed, the dining area would follow, McQuaide said.
Airport budget
The authority approved a $1.8 million budget for 2025.
It includes a $1 per hour pay increase for airport staff, including facility maintenance staff, and a 3.5% pay increase for management, including Cree and assistant manager Heather Tomasko.
County appropriations — Cambria County’s annual contribution — will remain unchanged again this year at $174,000.
