01-03-2025
Momentum at airport highlighted
This year's edition of The Tribune-Democrat's Vision special section represented the latest indication that John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport is an increasingly significant part of the area's economic future.
Among the positives, as highlighted in stories in the Vision 2025 section published Feb. 22:
• A sustained increase in passenger numbers over the past couple years has led the Federal Aviation Administration to elevate the airport's status, which comes with an increase in federal funding to use for runway repairs, new equipment and safety upgrades.
• Balance Restaurant began serving breakfast and lunch at its Marketplace eatery inside the terminal building, and there are hopes that a renovated dining room will open soon.
• The pilot training program at Nulton Aviation Flight Academy has grown from 10 students in 2020 to more than 70 this year.
• St. Francis University is enrolling its second class of students for its fledgling aviation maintenance technician program, which is housed at the airport.
• Efforts are moving forward at the airport to create more space for passengers to wait, expand parking for growing crowds and add new hangars for aircraft.
• And the airport has room around it to grow, unlike many of its peers in the northeastern U.S.
• In a related development, Somerset County Technology Center is looking to raise money for a new building to house its burgeoning welding program and its new aviation maintenance program.
Meanwhile, the Johnstown airport has some big things coming up this year.
SkyWest Airlines' Essential Air Service contract to serve Johnstown runs through 2025.
And airport officials have approved a study that they say could be a key planning tool as discussions get underway for the next air service deal.
Consultant ArkStar will work to determine local passengers' favorite destinations and which airports they are flying out of if not Johnstown's.
Johnstown airport leaders are planning an April or May trip to SkyWest's headquarters in Utah to meet with airline officials to discuss the results of the survey.
They're anticipating keeping the airport's current 50-seat jet service and would welcome adding charter service and possibly a Florida flight on top of that.
Airport Manager Cory Cree put it this way: 'It's a situation where success breeds success. We have a lot of momentum from 2024 that is kind of rolling over into 2025.'
