A Southern Airways Express official reported that increasing numbers of people are soaring to the skies from Williamsport Regional Airport.

Mark Cestari, vice president of operations, told Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority members at their monthly meeting that 362 passengers took flight in January compared to 238 in December.

He attributed the higher numbers, in part, to the airline now offering two flights per day Monday to Friday, including an early morning departure, from the airport to Washington, D.C.

“They’re (customers) loving the new schedule,” he said.

Of those passengers, 68 percent ended their trips in Washington.

Others made connections for flights with alternative airlines to fly elsewhere in the U.S., including Alaska, or for international destinations.

“We all worked hard to put the new scheduling in place,” Cestari said.

Williamsport Regional Airport Executive Director Richard Howell noted that 47 of the airport’s scheduled flights in January were completed.

Inclement weather resulted in several flights being cancelled during the month, he noted.

Southern Airways launched flight service from the airport in May 2024.

Prior to that, the airport had been without commercial flights since September 2021 when American Airlines pulled out of the local airport.

The Authority in December agreed to a two-year contract with Southern Airways for continued flight service.

In other matters, the Authority approved a $196,739 payment to Axtell’s Pavement Solutions, LLC for runway and taxiway work.

The Authority approved a one-year agreement at $14,002 with Midwest ATC for control tower operations. The Federal Aviation Commission will cover 80 percent of the funding with Lycoming County picking up the remaining cost.

The board authorized Howell to sign the airport road agreement with Transystems for the street project.

It was noted that the airport will host a Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce PM Exchange Thursday, Feb. 20.

The Authority met in executive session following the meeting to consider personnel matters.

The next Authority meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at the airport terminal building.