MOUNT ALTON — Members of the Bradford Regional Airport authority learned Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation that the airport is the recipient of an Essential Air Service waiver, which ensures this facility continues to receive vital support from the U.S. DOT for operation.

This announcement comes after U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson called on the DOT to approve the airport’s participation.

“Reliable transportation plays a role in  growing jobs and in ensuring critical services are met in rural communities across Pennsylvania,” said Casey. “This is why I joined with Congressman Thompson to call on the DOT to approve Bradford Regional Airport’s Essential Air Service waiver application. I’m pleased that this waiver has been granted and that Bradford will be able to continue service as normal. I look forward to continuing to support economic growth opportunities across the Commonwealth.”

Thompson echoed Casey’s comments.

“Rural Pennsylvania relies on Essential Air Service for connectivity to the national air transportation system,” Thompson said. “The Bradford Regional Airport is critically important to the region not only for travel, but also to promote tourism, spur economic activity and support the local economy. That’s why I’ve consistently worked to ensure this access remains in place, and I partnered with Senator Casey to urge the DOT to grant this waiver application so services can continue uninterrupted. This is a win for the Commonwealth and I will continue to support the airport.”

The EAS program, administered by the U.S. DOT, authorizes federal subsidies to compensate airlines for providing essential passenger service to rural and otherwise unprofitable or minimally profitable markets.

“This is really good news,” said Alicia Dankesreiter, airport manager. “This waiver assures that the commercial airline serving Bradford will receive EAS funding for the next two years,” she added.

Dankesreiter said the DOT should announce the selection of carrier for the airport. “We have recommended that Southern Air Express, the current carrier, be retained, and we expect an announcement any day now.”

Mark Cestari, SAE’s chief commercial officer, attended Wednesday’s meeting and provided an airline update for the authority members. “I have good news,” he said, adding, “we achieved a 100-percent flight completion rate for May, June and July. That was also true for five of our cities.

“Now, we’re focusing on time,” Cestari said. “Though 86 percent of our flights arrived within 14 minutes of schedule time, there’s more we can do. I expect this number will get even better.”

July numbers for Southern Air Express showed 387 outbound passengers and 389 arrivals, according to Cestari.

Cestari said the airline plans to mount a marketing campaign in the Warren and Olean, N.Y., “to reach the businesses that are not yet using us.”

SAE continues to increase its public image by sponsoring the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center’s “Summer Series” at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Dankesreiter reported that the airport administration has met with a representative of the PA Wilds to establish a working partnership in order to promote the local economy and increase awareness of the airport and its services.

“Hopefully, this partnership could increase the number of airport arrivals,” said Dankesreiter.

Dankesreiter reported that Sherri Geary, the county’s economic development director, has succeeded in having an application for $29,000 in matching funds grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and this will be paired with a similar amount from the county commissioners to develop a plan for developing the airport’s industrial park.

McKean Aviation has expressed an interest in making improvements in the airport’s community park, which is now outfitted with a pavilion, tables, grills and fire pit. Dankesreiter said airport employees could help with this project.

The Runway Restaurant at the airport is now closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, but is nevertheless busy.

Cestari praised the restaurant owner for the food provided for Southern Airways Express; Customer Appreciation Day in July. “He hit it out of the park,” Cestari noted.

Brian Wolfel of GAI, the airport’s engineering firm, reported on airport projects. The crack seal and remarking of Runway 14-32 is done. GAI and the Federal Aviation Administration officials will do the final inspection later this month.

“We’re still working on the Airport Master Plan, finalizing the Inventory and Forecast sections,” Wolfel said. The FAA recommends these plans be updated every ten years.

It was noted during this meeting that a vacancy can be declared if an authority member fails to attend at least six meetings per year without an excused absence.