Bradford Regional Airport remains open for flights, but a call from Gov. Tom Wolf to stop non-essential travel has all but halted passenger travel.

It’s the same drop-off that airports around the globe are experiencing, as countries fight to stop the spread of coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19.

“While commercial operations are running as scheduled, general aviation and charter flights are at a standstill,” said Alicia Dankesreiter, airport manager. “Southern’s aircraft, like every other airline in the country, are flying practically empty. Financially these are hard times.”

She said the airport is open for business seven days a week, “but unfortunately there just isn’t any business. At this time the flight schedule is running as usual although there have been conversations about cutting back the day. No decisions have been made yet.”

Despite the low passenger count, Dankesreiter does not anticipate it to affect the airport’s status in the Essential Air Service program.

The EAS program, through the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides subsidies so the airport can continue its commercial air service. A certain number of enplanements is required for eligibility in the program, but the Bradford airport has been granted waivers over the years to allow it to stay in the program despite not meeting the required number of enplanements.

Dankesreiter said that officials from the Department of Transportation, including Transportation Secretary Elaine Chaoall, held a conference call with all EAS airports last week.

“We were all assured that no one would be penalized for low passenger numbers in 2020,” Dankesreiter said. “There are also provisions in the CARES Act to help airlines weather this storm financially.”

While it is up in the air whether any direct assistance will be available to the Bradford Regional Airport, Dankesreiter said she will know about that after a call today with the Federal Aviation Administration and other airports.

In the meantime, airport staff are continuing business as usual, with some extra safety precautions in place.

“For about the last year we have had various hand sanitizers mounted to the walls, so that was already done. In addition all employees working inside the terminal are wearing masks and the building has never been so clean,” she explained. “We’ve amped up our cleaning and wipe down every surface after each flight.”

Dankesreiter suggests that people take their time at home to plan a trip to take during a safer time.

“The airport is eerily quiet without the passengers and pilots. We hope everyone postpones their travel plans instead of cancelling,” she said. “Everything will reopen and we’ll be able to satisfy that wanderlust as soon as it’s safe. Use this time to make a wish list of travel destinations and plan your next trip.”

Airport officials continue to look to the future, too.

Dankesreiter said a renovation project at the airport is on hold now, but she hopes it will start up again soon.

“Unfortunately the construction is a (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) funded project and PennDOT shut everything down weeks ago,” she explained. “I’m trying to stay optimistic and still hoping to have everything wrapped up by mid-summer.”

The airport was slated to finish an interior renovation project — including construction of a PA Wilds retail shop — in March, then start exterior renovations to include new entryways, roof, LED lighting, paint and signage.

The airport has tentative plans to keep its scheduled grand opening in August. The public event is slated to include C-47 rides and live music.

“Planning anything these days seems like an exercise in futility but yes, I’m hoping to still have the grand opening and community events August 8 and 9th,” said Dankesreiter.

Meanwhile, the Runway Bar & Grill, the restaurant located inside the airport, has been opening for take-out dinners one to two nights a week, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page. The restaurant plans to serve food from 4 to 8 p.m. this coming Friday and Saturday.

Visit “The Runway Bar & Grill” Facebook page for more information on restaurant hours.