Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Int’l Prepares for More Traffic

With increasing commercial congestion and associated delays expected at New York’s busiest airports through the end of the year, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) is positioning itself to be an attractive alternative for all types of aircraft operators for the remainder of 2023 and beyond.  

Located in northeastern Pennsylvania near the New Jersey border, AVP has traditionally been a popular destination for diverted aircraft. It is, after all, just a 15-minute flight from all three major New York airports (Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International). And industry watchers predict more delays than usual for the mighty triumvirate, especially this summer.

For starters, the FAA Air Traffic Control Center in New York is reportedly staffed at about 50% of full capacity (compared to the national average of 81%). At the same time, passenger volume is surging now that the COVID pandemic has eased. As a preventive measure, FAA asked all major airlines serving New York to proactively cut up to 10% of their summer flights there.  

Increased congestion in the New York corridor means that commercial and corporate operators alike will need somewhere else to land. Officials at AVP believe their airport is in the sweet spot thanks to its nearby location and burgeoning infrastructure. 

“We have long been a diversion airport for our two main airlines, United and American,” states Executive Director Carl Beardsley. “But this year, we expect our value to only increase.”

In addition to being very near all three major New York airports, AVP is also close to Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, Stewart International Airport and Westchester County Airport in New York, and Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania. “If a flight has to land here to wait out a traffic control delay, it can quickly get to its destination in a very short amount of time, once the aircraft is cleared to land,” notes Beardsley.

Moreover, AVP’s 7,501-foot main runway allows it to accommodate nearly any aircraft. Even large 747s or 777s diverted en route from Europe can land at AVP and partially refill their fuel tanks while waiting for clearance to land in New York. 

Besides its runway length and proximity to key New York airports, AVP offers significant savings for commercial airlines and general aviation operators. Landing fees, hangar rentals, maintenance fees, FBO services, and, perhaps most importantly, fuel costs are all significantly lower at the Pennsylvania airfield. “Pilots fueling a large commercial aircraft or one of the larger Gulfstreams can save thousands of dollars by refueling here at AVP,” Beardsley states.

On May 10, for instance, jet fuel was $5.53 per gallon at AVP vs. $8 at TEB. For a Gulfstream G550, which holds more than 6,000 gallons, the associated cost savings could potentially approach $15,000.

Adding Infrastructure

While accommodating diverted aircraft is a steady income producer, airport officials are also working to encourage commercial, corporate and general aviation operators to use AVP as their permanent base. Until recently, however, the airport did not have enough hangars to attract new corporate and general aviation clients. To alleviate this problem, AVP has initiated two large hangar projects in the last two years. The first facility, which opened in early 2022, is owned and operated by Aviation Technologies (ATI), the airfield’s main fixed base operator.

“Our new hangar can store a Gulfstream G550 and a Gulfstream G450, as well as six or seven smaller aircraft,” states ATI President Jim Gallagher. “Until we opened this new hangar, our customers had to store their aircraft on the ramp. We simply did not have extra space for storing aircraft. We do have a 15,000-square-foot maintenance hangar attached to the FBO building, but it is usually occupied with aircraft getting maintenance services and avionics upgrades. We hope this new building will attract more clients who want to park their aircraft here permanently.”

The new ATI hangar is already connected with sewer and water services, so tenants can add more space if needed, Gallagher adds.

In addition to the FBO building, the airport has four other hangars, totaling 40,000 square feet. But with more demand for storage facilities, it is currently constructing an additional hangar of its own. Officials expect the new 12,000-square-foot facility to be done by the end of 2023. Geisinger Life Flight, a key air ambulance service for northeastern Pennsylvania, will be one of the main tenants. Geisinger was already based on the airfield in a smaller hangar, but wanted a more modern, larger facility for parking its helicopters.

“We are optimistic that our new hangar, once it opens, will be attractive for corporate and/or general aviation clients,” Beardsley says. “There will be plenty of space available beside the Geisinger helicopters.”

Several other organizations rent existing hangars at AVP. The Pennsylvania State Police hangar has room for two helicopters, or one helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. The airport’s location allows the police aircraft to respond quickly to any emergency throughout the northeastern part of the state, Beardsley explains. The state police work closely with Geisinger, depending on the type of emergency.

Johnson College of Technology, a community college based in Scranton, uses a hangar at AVP to train mechanics and pilots. “There is a growing demand throughout the industry for skilled mechanics in these areas. The students get real-world training on aircraft right in the school’s hangar. We feel we are offering a true service to our industry,” says Beardsley.

Broadening his focus, he expects cargo operations to increase in the future. Amazon, Lowe’s, Macy’s, Target and The Home Depot have large distribution hubs in the area that ship most of their goods on trucks. However, sometimes they use cargo planes that are loaded at AVP.

In other efforts to attract and serve more customers, the airport is adding new amenities, both inside and outside the terminal.

A new business center, which will be located past the security checkpoints, is expected to open sometime in 2025. “We believe this will be an appreciated service, especially for our commercial passengers,” Beardsley says. “They now will have a pleasant, quiet place to work while they are waiting for their flights. We hope this added benefit will perhaps encourage these passengers to use our airport more often in the future.”

The Venue, which is located on airport grounds next to the Best Western Plus Hotel, recently opened. It offers event and catering services to both business and leisure customers.

Opportunities for Future Growth

Beardsley is optimistic that AVP can attract even more businesses. “We have plenty of space for companies wishing to build new hangars or open up other services, both on and off the property,” he advises. “We also recently installed a new service road circling the airfield. It connects to both the hotel and Venue facility. A spur road can be built from that road to connect to any new structures within the airfield.

“Finally, we hope that commercial, corporate and general aviation clients who are diverted here will explore the advantages of using our airport on a more permanent basis.”