Williamsport Regional Airport (IATA: IPT[2], ICAO: KIPT, FAALID: IPT) serves Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area with a population of roughly 200,000. The airport processes approximately 40,000 passengers annually and has served north central Pennsylvania since 1929.
Located five miles east of Williamsport, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania,[1] this airport has two runways, 9/27 and 12/30, both asphalt. One passenger airline operates Embraer 145s while FedEx Feeder flies freight out of Williamsport Regional Airport. The airport is home to Energy Aviation LLC that provides general aviation services and is the operator of its terminal, commonly known in aviation parlance as a fixed-base operator (FBO).
In 2016 county, state and federal officials okayed a plan for over $75 million of improvements to the airport including airfield and building improvements. In late 2017 the airport began work on a brand new terminal building with seating for 150, limited food options, updated security features and a passenger loading bridge.
In 1928 the Williamsport Civil Aviation Authority was looking for a location to build an airport near Williamsport. The airport company, with help from the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Williamsport, sold hundreds of shares of stock at $100 each until it had raised about $75,000, enough to buy 161 acres of a family farm in Montoursville. Then in late 1928, with approval from state and federal government officials, the airport company was granted a charter.[6]
On April 25, 1993 Thomas L. Knauff set an FAI world record flying a glider on an out-and-return course of 1,646.68 km (1,023.20 mi), releasing from tow over this airport, then flying along the Appalachian Mountains to Corryton, Tennessee, and returning for a landing 10 hours later. This world record stood for almost 20 years, and was only recently broken in Argentina, but is still a national record.[7]
On January 8, 2024, the airport announced that Southern Airways Express would begin service to Dulles International Airport (outside Washington, DC) on May 23, 2024, with a planned 10 flights per week, marking the return of commercial passenger service for the first time since September 2021.[17] Interline agreements with United, American, and Alaska Airlines will permit "seamless connections" including through-bag transfer.
Annual fly-in and air show
The Williamsport Regional Association of Pilots holds a fly-in every June. From 1996 to 2013 Williamsport Regional Airport held an Air Show and Balloonfest at the airport, attracting many visitors. Some of the most well-known aircraft to arrive at the airport are the B-17, 193d Special Operations Wing's EC-130J and the EC-130 Commando Solo.
In 2009 the airport authority and city leaders announced a $3 million budget to do minor renovation to the existing terminal, update tax-exempt and runway lighting and widen taxiways. The project was completed in fall 2011.
In 2016 the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority began the bidding process for a new $15.9 million terminal which they planned to open by the end of 2017.[18] A grant of $798,000 was given to the airport which installed a new glide slope system, access road and repainted airfield taxiway and runway lines.
After a delay in the approval process, in April 2017, contracts were awarded to local construction companies. The new terminal was built alongside the existing terminal and has a jet bridge. The old terminal was torn down for more parking. The new terminal opened on October 15, 2018.
In January 2019, Pennsylvania state and federal grants were approved to be adopted by the airport authority in a public meeting in January. The funds of over $600,000 were allocated for MALSR lighting system on the approach end of runway 27 and runway 9. Taxiway echo was relocated and made into a high-speed taxiway. More than $150,000 was set aside for finalizing the airport's fuel farm.[19]
Facilities
The airport covers 535 acres (217 ha) at an elevation of 528 feet (161 m). It has two asphalt runways: 9/27 is 6,825 by 150 feet (2,080 by 46 m), and runway 12/30 is 4,273 by 150 feet (1,302 by 46 m).[1]
In 2016 the airport had 33,019 aircraft movements, average 90 per day: 70% general aviation, 19% air taxi, 9% airline and 2% military. Of the 51 based aircraft, 32 are single engine, 10 are multi-engine, 7 jet and 2 helicopter.
Over the past 15 years,[when?] the airport general aviation multi-engine and jet population have steadily grown. It is common to see multiple Hawker 400s, Learjets and numerous types of GA jets and props at IPT.
IPT is not designated as a military airport, as it does not have any military aircraft or Pennsylvania Air National Guard based on premises. However the PA Air National Guard and Air Force use the airport for some training exercises over the course of the year. Mostly from Harrisburg, Fort Indiantown Gap, or the air reserve station in Pittsburgh, they mostly perform TGL maneuvers and re-fueling stops due to its low commercial traffic and up to date facilities.
On December 1, 1959, Allegheny Airlines Flight 371, a Martin 2-0-2, crashed into a mountain about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) outside of South Williamsport killing all but one of the 26 passengers and crew. The accident was caused by low cloud ceiling and foggy conditions causing the pilots to not know where they were. There were two contributing factors: the FAA found that the airline or pilots never should have taken off, but did because they had been delayed and wanted to make up lost time. The second factor was determined to be pilot error because the pilots did not realize their altitude.[22]
On April 4, 1991, the Merion air disaster occurred when a Sunbell Aviation Helicopters Bell 412 collided mid-air with a Piper Aerostar which was flying from Williamsport to Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The Piper was carrying United States senator from Pennsylvania H. John Heinz III when it collided over Merion Elementary School in Lower Merion Township. All aboard both aircraft, as well as two children at the school, were killed. The helicopter had been dispatched to investigate a problem with the landing gear of Heinz's plane. While moving in for a closer look, the helicopter collided with the plane, causing both aircraft to lose control and crash. The subsequent NTSB investigation attributed the cause of the crash to poor judgment by the pilots of the two aircraft involved.[23][24]
On December 22, 2015, at 8:45 a.m., a Porter Airlines flight with 66 on board was diverted to Williamsport Regional Airport due to reports of thick smoke in the cockpit and cabin. The flight from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport had to make an emergency landing in Williamsport. Two crew members were taken to Williamsport Regional Medical Center to be checked out due to smoke inhalation. The sixty-six passengers were taken to the terminal to be cleared by customs and then were able to leave airport grounds. The next day Porter Airlines brought a new Dash 8 400 to continue the passengers to Washington, D.C.[25][26][27]