Aviation Public Hearing

View Agenda and Testimony

View Video Recording

View Testimony Highlights

HARRISBURG - The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw, will hold a virtual public hearing on Thursday, February 4, beginning at 10 a.m., to examine rural aviation and the decision by American Airlines to drop flights from many smaller U.S. cities, including Williamsport.

"Rural areas are at a disadvantage because transportation options are often limited," Sen. Yaw said. "This has profound implications for rural communities, particularly now during the pandemic. Maintaining passenger flights to and from our rural airports is vital to economic recovery."

The hearing will focus on demand for reliable air service, rural transportation and logistical impacts, impacts to area businesses, and access to health care.

At this time, the presenters scheduled for the public hearing are: Jennie A. Granger, Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation, and Anthony J. McCloskey, Director of the Bureau of Aviation, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; Richard Howell, Executive Director of the Williamsport Regional Airport; Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce; and Brent Fish, President of Fish Real Estate, Inc.

In addition to Sen. Yaw, Center Board members are: Board Secretary Dr. Nancy Falvo, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; Board Treasurer Stephen Brame, Governor's representative; Sen. Katie Muth; Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski; Rep. Dan Moul; Dr. Timothy Kelsey, Pennsylvania State University; Dr. Catherine Koverola, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford; Shannon Munro, Pennsylvania College of Technology; Dr. Joseph Nairn, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College; Dr. Charles Patterson, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania; and Darrin Youker, Governor's representative.

The board will be joined by local, state, and federal elected officials.

The public hearing will be held via Zoom Webinar.