McDermott unanimously elected chair of Bi-County Airport Board
Mar. 27—PITTSTON TWP. — Luzerne County Council Member Lee Ann McDermott was unanimously elected chair of the Bi-County Airport Board on Thursday.
McDermott replaces former Lackawanna County Commissioner Matt McGloin, who resigned earlier this month. McDermott had been serving as vice chair.
McGloin resigned as a Lackawanna County commissioner to accept an assistant coaching position at Boston College football job that he quickly quit.
McGloin, a former NFL and Penn State quarterback had agreed to join the staff of his former head coach, Bill O'Brien, at Boston College.
McGloin abruptly decided to not take the Boston College job and he also decided to not return to his county commissioner's position.
McGloin and fellow Democrat Bill Gaughan were elected in 2023 and took office as the county's majority commissioners in January 2024.
Lackawanna County has not named a replacement for McGloin on the Board of Commissioners.
McDermott thanked her fellow board members and immediately began the board meeting. A vice chair was not elected on Thursday.
In other business:
—Carl Beardsley, Jr., the airport's executive director, announced increased flights to Washington-Dulles International Airport. Effective March 31, there will be three daily departures and arrivals between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Washington-Dulles — departures at 6 a.m., 10:05 a.m. and 2:50 p.m.; arrivals at 9:42 a.m., 2:02 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
Beardsley said the 10:05 a.m. departure and the 9:42 a.m. arrival are new flights that will be offered beginning March 31.
—Accepted the resignation of Eric McKitish, Pittston, director of marketing, communications and air service development, effective April 7.
—Appointed Mark C. Bailer, Scranton, as director of public safety, effective March 21.
—McKitish reported that the deadline for Real ID is May 7.
—Beardsley reported passenger activity increased in January and February. He said passenger enplanements for the month of January 2025 increased 47.6% to 20,444 from 13,849 in the month of January 2024.
In January 2025, 11 departing flights were cancelled, all for weather. This accounts for 702 (2.6%) out of a total of 27,208 departure seats. Also, 11 arriving flights were cancelled, all for weather.
Passenger enplanements for the month of February 2025 increased 32.8% to 19,962, up from 15,027 in the month of February 2024.
In February 2025, 7 departing flights were cancelled, all for weather. This accounts for 379 (1.5%) out of a total of 25,714 departure seats. Also, 7 arriving flights were cancelled, all for weather.
—The board approved a HVAC maintenance agreement extension with Scranton Electric Heating & Cooling Service Inc., Throop, for professional services until current HVAC project is completed.
The total monthly cost is not to exceed $2,974.17.
—The board welcomed Betty J. Teichman, Bloomsburg, as assistant airport director, who began working on Feb. 24.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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