Air traffic plummets at Western Pa. airports
Josh Clevenger didn’t have to worry about having enough leg room or overhead bin space Wednesday on his flight from Fort Myers, Fla., to Pittsburgh International Airport.
“I had five rows in front of me completely empty and five rows behind me completely empty,” said Clevenger, 31, of Englewood, Fla.
Clevenger, who was on his way to Martins Ferry, Ohio, to celebrate his daughter’s birthday, is one of few people still flying as the number of new covid-19 cases continues to soar in the United States.
The Transportation Security Administration said 146,000 people boarded flights in the United States on Tuesday, down 93% from the roughly 2 million people who flew on the same date a year ago.
The number of people who flew Tuesday was smaller than the number of people who have tested positive for covid-19 in the United States so far. As of early Wednesday evening, the latter number stood at about 206,000, according to Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center.
Clevenger took precautions he’s never taken before, wiping down his airplane seat with disposable antiseptic towelettes before takeoff.
“I never do that,” Clevenger said. “And I’ve used a lot of hand sanitizer.”
Another air traveler, Zack Zagrod, said he had never seen an airport as empty as Pittsburgh International was on Wednesday.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. It is so empty. There’s no people,” said Zagrod, 17, of Salinas, Calif.
Zagrod was preparing to fly back to California after visiting family in Johnstown.
He said he was concerned about the cleanliness of planes during the pandemic, but was taking precautions to try to keep himself safe.
“I have some masks in here, actually, and a whole bunch of gloves,” Zagrod said, gesturing to his bag. “I have a whole bunch of hand sanitizer. I’m ready.”
Oil worker Robert Branan flew to Pittsburgh from Houston. He said about 20 people were on his flight.
“They staggered you around so you weren’t next to each other,” said Branan, 57, of Greensburg.
Branan described the Pittsburgh airport as apocalyptic. There were no lines at the ticket counters or the security checkpoint. Hardly anyone was at the baggage claim, and the short-term parking lot had few cars in it.
“It’s like a desert,” Branan said.
Dwayne Vickers, another oil worker, also flew into Pittsburgh from Houston.
Vickers, 40, of Vancleave, Miss., said he wasn’t too concerned about flying.
“Just keep people out of your face and keep a mask on,” Vickers said of his approach. “I think it’s OK.”
The pandemic has had a devastating impact on airlines, but Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis said the authority is focused on weathering the storm.
“At Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County airports, we are prepared and working to weather this pandemic for as long as it takes, and are committed to keeping our facilities operational and safe,” Cassotis said.
Spirit Airlines, the sole carrier serving Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity, continues to serve people flying to and from Westmoreland County. On Wednesday, the airline had four flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and three to destinations in Florida.
During the pandemic, most flights have been 80% empty, said Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority.
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