The Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority has finally secured for fliers early-morning departures and late-night arrivals. The new schedule begins April 6.
We congratulate the authority members because we know how much time and work has gone into booking the additional flights.
To some, it might appear to be no big deal. The authority says otherwise – and we agree.
“This opens up a bigger window of opportunity to connecting flights and for finding lower airfares,” airport authority member Larry Hoover said.
Two very important points.
“Some of the better airfares may be sold out in the afternoon out of Dulles (International Airport).
“Some of the markets out of Dulles only operate in the morning and then much later in the day,” Hoover said.
Business and vacation travelers alike should welcome the additions. Only time will tell whether it translates into greater numbers of passengers.
We hope so.
Under the new schedule, United Express commercial flights will leave Johnstown at 6:40 a.m., nonstop to Dulles. The final inbound flight is scheduled to arrive at 11:05 p.m., also nonstop from Dulles.
Business and defense travelers will be able to be in Washington for meetings or events and then return to Johnstown the same day, authority Chairman Richard Weaver said.
Not being able to do that has been a frequent complaint we’ve heard, a prime reason why many area businesses have avoided bookings out of the local airport, instead choosing terminals such as Pittsburgh, Latrobe and State College.
While we welcome authority members’ most recent conquest, they better than anyone else realize much work remains.
Until fliers are assured of convenient flight schedules, good connection possibilities and, most of all, comparable costs to what they can find elsewhere, the Johnstown airport will continue to struggle.
For airport officials, we once again urge: Make it easier for perspective travelers to learn about flight schedules and costs. Make telephone numbers and Web site addresses easy to find.
For fliers: Give the Johnstown airport a chance. Before going elsewhere, check to see if it meets your needs.
You might be surprised.
If nothing else, round-trips from the Richland Township airport are more convenient than driving to, say, Pittsburgh.
In the end, we’re all in this together, financially and otherwise.
We should all want the local airport to be a success.
Editorials
Airport authority listened, complied | Time will tell if new schedule pans out
- Editorials
-
-
Readers' Forum 2-11 | Liberals’ slow, steady assault on America
Recently, Health and (in)Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued an edict demanding Catholic hospitals and institutions to provide contraceptives, abortifacients and other sterilization drugs under the so-called Affordable Care Act.
-
Laurels and barbs
Laurel: Richland High School students who qualify will be offered a golden educational opportunity this fall. In the first such program in Cambria County, students will be able to simultaneously earn their high school diplomas and associate degrees in general studies from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.
-
Readers' Forum 2-10 | Pastor: Area churches are in distress
As a retired pastor, I have the opportunity to preach in many churches in the area. What I am seeing is most alarming.
-
Neighborhoods urged ‘to step up’
When government officials and community groups talk about neighborhood improvements, blight elimination and trash and litter cleanups, our ears perk up.
-
Readers' Forum 2-9 | Find funds to heal returning soldiers
The article, “Military finds troops ailing; problems create health care backlog,” published Feb. 2 by USA Today, impressed me so profoundly that I just can’t keep myself from bringing it to your attention.
-
Take in a high school play
“Peter Pan” has already done a flyby at Windber Area High School.
-
Readers' Forum 2-8 | Ambulance crew following protocol
In response to the Readers’ Forum letter on Feb. 3 by Molly Comperatore, “Ambulance assoc. bill extravagant, unethical”:
-
Protect young lungs
A recent CDC study concludes that too many kids are breathing others’ smoke in cars.
-
Richard Dreyfuss | Future generations will come out on losing end of budget
As the governor’s state budget undergoes intense scrutiny, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary “winners and losers.”
-
‘219’ optimism is driven closer toward reality
Making U.S. Route 219 a four-lane highway from Somerset to the Mason-Dixon Line is a crucial project for our entire region.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Readers' Forum 2-11 | Liberals’ slow, steady assault on America
LAPD: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
