The last year has been a good one for Southern Air Express, an official told Bradford Regional Airport Authority members Wednesday.
“The last year has been one of tremendous progress and growth for our airline,” said Mark Cestari, the current executive vice-president/ business development for Southern Air Express, the low-fare commuter airline that serves the Bradford Regional Airport.
SAE purchased Sun Air Express, the former airline serving Bradford, and initiated local service in 2016 and doubled enplanements from 2015. Bookings continue to show an upward trend. Cestari said that Bradford Regional was the strongest market in in airline’s PIT Connector system that provides scheduled air service between Pittsburgh and 13 other Pennsylvania airports. “This was due in large part to the great partnerships we have developed with local groups,” stated Cestari.
Passenger traffic remains strong at Bradford. During August, for instance, there were 360 arrivals and 329 departures for a daily average of 13.8 passengers. Ninety-one percent of the flights operated.
After experiencing a pilot shortage recently due to rapid expansion into new markets, SAE has hired a firm to study passenger history, as well as putting a pilot recruitment plan in place, and these efforts are beginning to show positive results, Cestari said. “For example, we now have 62 pilots flying and 15 more in training, plus others who are qualified pilots but are getting familiar with company policies and procedures. By December 1, we expect to have 92 pilots. Our fleet, all Cessna single turboprop Caravans, has grown from 12 to 22 aircraft.”
As incentives to further increase passenger traffic, Cestari pointed to some Southern Air promotions, such as Campus Connect, to encourage local college students to use the Bradford airport; and Care Connect, to appeal to people affiliated with local hospitals. In the planning stages is Community Connector, a discount program designed for county employees in McKean, Elk and Warren counties.
In his report, facilities manager David Thomas said the recent triennial emergency drill was a success. Thomas added that the maintenance staff is now preparing the equipment and facilities for the winter.
In other matters, authority members approved an engineering agreement with GAI Consultants Inc. for the Airport Master Plan update project in the amount of $386,216.64 with a local share of $19,310.80. The authority has agreed to accept the Federal Aviation Administration’s grant offer of $347,594 and a local share of $19,311.
An Airport Master Plan provides a guide for efficiently meeting aviation demands through the foreseeable future while preserving the flexibility necessary to respond to changing conditions. Besides long-range planning, the plans must include the need and purpose of development projects, compliance with FAA requirements, compatible land use development, support of the local economy and identify facility requirements for all airport users.
