Passengers up 3% last year at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

Arnold Palmer Regional Airport saw a 3% increase in its passenger total last year while preparing for runway improvements that officials say could open the door for more commercial flights.

The combined number of passengers boarding and disembarking from Spirit Airlines flights at the Unity airport in 2019 increased by almost 9,000, to 309,817, Executive Director Gabe Monzo told the Westmoreland County Airport Authority on Tuesday.

“That’s the second highest total since Spirit started here,” Monzo said of the airport’s sole commercial carrier, which started service in February 2011. He added that the airport’s total aircraft operations also increased, from 24,863 in 2018 to 30,794 last year.

“Both are signs of things looking up,” he said, pointing out that the cumulative total of Spirit passengers served at the airport has passed 2.25 million.

Annual passenger numbers peaked at 355,910 in 2015 and then dropped to 289,832 the following year, after Spirit pulled flights to Chicago and Las Vegas. Since then, passenger totals have increased annually on remaining flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and destinations in Florida.

Paul Puleo, who assumed duties as the new authority chairman, congratulated the airport staff on “a great year.”

“It runs like clockwork,” he said. “It’s a real jewel for the county.”

Puleo noted Gary Beck Sr., a Rostraver commissioner, is joining the authority, succeeding Sam Scanlon, whose term expired.

Puleo presented a plaque to former authority chairman Don Rossi — recognizing the latter’s 35 years of service on the body, during which he had a hand in $62 million worth of projects. Rossi, who is continuing on the authority, now heads the property committee.

Authority engineer Scott Kunselman said work may begin in late March on a $13 million project that will make the airport runway 50 feet wider and three inches thicker, to strengthen it.

According to Monzo, strengthening the runway will allow it to withstand more frequent commercial flights without deteriorating.

The authority agreed to seek bids, if needed, to upgrade the airport’s electronic sign that faces Route 30. Monzo recommended replacing the LED panels with newer versions that will allow a higher-resolution image. He said the image can be difficult to see at dusk.

Authority member Mark Gera said a bidding process is required if the item exceeds $20,000 in value and can’t be obtained through Pennsylvania’s COSTARS cooperative purchasing program.