After several months without commercial air service, Bradford Regional Airport has rebounded and abounds with much activity with the start of Sun Air Express’ daily low-fare and non-stop flights to Pittsburgh International Airport.
“Get Flying, Bradford,” Sun Air Express’ celebration, was held on Monday with a morning round-trip flight to Pittsburgh for representatives of the government, aviation and the media. After a brief tour of the airport, which is now more than 20-years-old, the group returned to Bradford for a brief program and luncheon at the Runway Café at the Lafayette Township airport.
Sun Air Express, a Florida-based ultra-regional airline, has won the two-year, federally subsidized Essential Air Service (EAS) contract providing flights from Pennsylvania airports in Bradford, Altoona, Lancaster and Franklin to Pittsburgh. With the help of that subsidy, Sun Air is able to offer one-way flights from Bradford to Pittsburgh for $29 when purchased through the airline.
At Bradford, Sun Air flies the Cessna Caravan, a single-engine turboprop aircraft, with a fixed landing gear and a capacity of nine passengers.
Chris Laymon, a resident of Hawaii, was the pilot of both flights. Marcell Calmet, a native of Peru, was the co-pilot.
Shortly before 10 a.m., the group left Bradford, where the temperature was unseasonably warm for this area at this time of the year. Flying above the clouds resulted in a very smooth flight on a sunny day.
The 2015 aircraft is equipped with a Garmin G1000, an advanced avionics system that incorporates radios, GPS flight and traffic management, ground avoidance, autopilot and weather information.
“This is the same avionics equipment found on larger corporate jets,” said David Zuckerman, one of the passengers. pilot, and owner of State Line Supply Co. in Bradford. “It’s the standard of avionics in the industry.”
The air speed on that flight was 132 knots, which equates to approximately 152 mph, Zuckerman said. The flight took about an hour. Laymon said visibility was more than 20 miles.
At touch down, it was 42 degrees in Pittsburgh.
Brian Dietz, air service development manager at the Pittsburgh International Airport, met the group and conducted a brief tour of the facility.
The Landside terminal and the Airside Terminal are the two complexes at the airport. They are linked by an underground people mover after the security checkpoint.
The Landside Terminal is housed in the building closest to the parking area and is the entrance for those passengers whose flights originate in Pittsburgh. “This terminal offers fast, easy and convenient services for out passengers,” Dietz said.
“Sun Express’ Gate E1 is at the middle of airport’s ‘X’ shape, placing it within five minutes of the new low-fare airlines, such as Allegiant, Jet Blue and Southwest,” Dietz said. “Connectivity is important to us.”
Dietz said the state has provided $20,000 to fund an advertising campaign boosting awareness of the Bradford to Pittsburgh flights as easy and efficient in connecting with other airports.
The Airmall, also near the E1 gate, features restaurants, bars, shops and other attractions such as lodging, banking, a post office and even an indoors children’s indoor playground. Dietz said, “We keep up with our customers’ expectations.”
During the tour, Dietz pointed out “Art in the Airport,” which promotes the region’s art and heritage. In particular, he explained the terrazzo floor, which is the first major construction upgrade at the Airside Terminal in more than two decades.
Arriving back in Bradford, Alicia Dankesreiter, interim director of Bradford Regional Airport, welcomed the group.
“Thank you for attending the launching of Sun Air Express’ service,” she said. “We’re really excited because this has been a long time in coming.”
Dankesreiter thanked the following for their help in bringing a new airline to the area: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, McKean County commissioners, airport authority community associations, Ryan Dach and Dave Thomas and the airport staff.
In his remarks, Mark Cestari, vice president of marketing for Sun Air Express, shared his thoughts about why he expects the carrier to meet the average daily passenger counts set forth under the EAS program.
“First of all,” Cestari said, “are our frequent flights — four daily Monday through Friday and two each on Saturday and Sunday.
“Next are our low fares. The $29 one way fare to Pittsburgh includes all taxes and fees, and this should stimulate the market. Add to this, the fast check-in times and screenings under 10 minutes.”
Cestari explained that frequent-fliers can also purchase 10 one-way tickets from Bradford to Pittsburgh in bulk for $250. Twenty EXPRESSPACKS cost $450 and 50 are priced at $1,000. The packs must be used within six months of purchase and can be transferred with companies, families or organizations.
Cestari also noted the nearby restaurants, shops and connections to low-fare airlines, such as Frontier, Allegiant, Jet Blue and Southwest.
“Economics, frequency of flights and the number of area residents are all in our favor,” Cestari said.
McKean County Commissioner chairman Joe DeMott, who also chairs the airport authority, thanked the people in attendance, saying, “this is a great day for Bradford, the airport and the airline. Thanks go to Sen. Casey and Rep. Thompson, who went to bat for us when the chips were down.”
DeMott paid special recognition to Mike Glesk, who chairs the Bradford Regional Airport Advisory Committee, for his efforts in bringing the new airline to Bradford.
Joe Fadden, senior field representative for Thompson, said, “If any town needs air service, it’s Bradford — a great town. With these low fares, I can’t imagine people not flying out of this airport.”
