'Gateway to the world' opens at Williamsport airport with new airline

"This is a monumental win for our entire region," McKitish said. "We aren't just talking about a single flight to North Carolina — we're talking about unlocking a premier gateway to the world."

Through Contour's partnership with American Airlines, McKitish said passengers will be able to book a single ticket connecting through Charlotte to destinations including Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Punta Cana. He also framed the route as a two-way opportunity, giving outside investors, businesses, and tourists direct access to the Williamsport market.

Flights will depart Williamsport at 6:15 a.m. and arrive in Charlotte at 8:10 a.m., with return flights leaving Charlotte at 4 p.m. and arriving back in Williamsport at 5:45 p.m., seven days a week. The route will be served by 30-seat regional jets with extra legroom, complimentary snacks and beverages, and free airport parking. Round-trip tickets are currently marked at $119. 

McKitish, who said he became executive director about 15 months ago, urged residents to use the new service to help it succeed long-term. "Use it or lose it," he said, adding that the more the airport is used, the more likely it is to see additional flights and destinations.

Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President Jason Fink said the chamber has worked with the airport authority on air service recruitment since 2010, including early meetings with Continental Airlines before that carrier ceased to exist. He said reliable air service factors heavily into companies' ability to recruit employees to the region.

Liam Mackay, chief financial officer of Contour, said the airline focuses on partnering with smaller communities like Williamsport rather than larger metro markets. He said tickets for the new route are already bookable through Contour, American Airlines, and other travel platforms.

Frank Pellegrino, chairman of the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority Board, said the airport saw about 10,000 passengers over the past year and set a goal of 20,000 passengers annually once the Charlotte service begins, with a target of adding a second daily flight and growing to 40,000 passengers if the airport reaches half that goal within six months.

Pellegrino cited an economic impact of roughly $65 million tied to the airport, and noted the facility is approaching its 100th anniversary, tracing its opening to a July 20, 1929 flight by Amelia Earhart. He also credited Contour CEO Matt Chaifetz, along with Mackay and Contour President Ben Munson, with committing to the Williamsport market.

Pellegrino also pointed to the role of Dan Klingerman, the airport's fixed-base operator lead with Energy Aviation, in keeping federal officials engaged on the project, saying Klingerman had a direct line to Sen. Dave McCormick. "I got Klingerman, and Klingerman's got McCormick," Pellegrino said. "He's listening."

TSA Assistant Federal Security Director Russell Schreffer also attended and said, "Our current checkpoint structure can accommodate the growth in passengers, and we are working on adding additional staff to ensure we are fully prepared."

Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll said the department has provided nearly $14 million in funding to the airport since 1983, including $3 million toward taxiway, access road, and pavement upgrades. He noted Pennsylvania has 120 public-use airports, 14 of them commercial.

State Sen. Gene Yaw and state Rep. Joe Hamm, who also serves on the airport authority board, both spoke in support of the new service, with Hamm citing the airport's role in a nine-county region with roughly 500,000 residents, eight universities, and three major medical centers, including UPMC.

Commissioner Scott Metzger said at the announcement, "This is a quality of life issue. This is a quality of life issue for our employers, and for people who want to fly recreationally. It brings that quality of life back to Lycoming County by having jet service here — by not having to travel one, two, three hours away to connect to a flight. They can do it right from their own backyard."

James May, regional director for U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, read a statement from the congressman crediting McKitish and Pellegrino for the new route and noting the airport's proximity to the Little League World Series and area colleges. TSA Assistant Federal Security Director Russell Schreffer said the agency expects daily passenger volume at the Williamsport checkpoint to more than triple and said current staffing and infrastructure can accommodate the growth, with additional staff being added.

Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter also thanked the partners involved and echoed the emphasis on ridership. "Now it's on all of us to use the air service," Slaughter said. "With a connection in Charlotte, you can literally get anywhere in the world...If we use it, we can double it — you start with the 30-passenger jets, but grow to larger jet service, or more jets per day."

State Rep. Jamie Flick pointed to the Little League World Series as an example of the demand for air access, saying a Canadian team from Vancouver brought roughly 70 family members to this year's tournament, most of whom faced a five-hour drive to reach Williamsport. He said direct air service would let more traveling families book flights in advance, potentially boosting attendance at future series, and would help sustain local jobs and attract additional industry.