Metro

STATE COLLEGE — American Airlines will establish nonstop service between State College Regional Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, beginning Oct. 5, the State College Air Service Alliance announced Tuesday.

The new route will operate twice daily and give central Pennsylvania residents, businesses and Penn State affiliates direct access to one of the nation’s busiest hub airports, as well as complement American’s existing nonstop service between State College and Philadelphia, officials said in a release.

Ralph Stewart, the Centre County Airport Authority’s interim executive director, said the proposed schedule involves the last arriving flight coming into the State College airport about 11:30 p.m., staying overnight and departing about 6:35 a.m. the next day.

The next arrival will be about 4:28 p.m., with a departure of about 4:53 p.m., Stewart said.

“It’s been a priority to expand air service throughout the two air carriers that we work with, but the conversation about (American) going to Charlotte has been ongoing for years,” Stewart said, noting the last attempt at getting the airline to fly that route from State College was several years ago.

“There was a brief period during COVID that they went (to Charlotte) for a few months, but it didn’t last because of COVID. So we’re very, very excited that it’s finally happening,” Stewart said. “We think it will open up a tremendous number of opportunities for the people who travel from State College.”

Jordan Pack, American’s domestic network planning director, said the airline’s hub in Charlotte is among the largest in the world, with flights to more than 170 destinations, including 17 destinations in Florida alone.

“American is always looking to make it easier for our customers to explore the world and our new service between Charlotte and State College will do just that,” Pack said in the release. “We’re thankful for the support of the community in State College as we look forward to launching this service in the fall.”

The Altoona-Blair County Airport in Martinsburg also offers daily service to Charlotte via Contour Airlines, which maintains an interline agreement with American Airlines and United Airlines.

Although the Altoona airport draws passengers from Centre County, the bulk of the airport’s passengers come from Blair, Bedford, Huntingdon and parts of Cambria and Somerset counties, airport manager Tracy Plessinger said.

Many Penn State students use the Altoona airport, but most of them attend the Altoona campus, Plessinger said, noting he assumes most of them will continue using the Altoona-Blair County Airport.

“The fares will still be much cheaper at Altoona, we believe,” Plessinger said, adding the airport has other benefits, such as free parking. “It’s just an economical way for people to travel out of Altoona than using the State College to Charlotte (route).”

Plessinger said the Altoona-Blair County Airport Authority views the announcement as an example of how “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

“They saw that we identified a really good route, and they’ve seen the success of that route at Altoona, so they want to get in on that deal,” Plessinger said. “That’s fine.”

Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins said the alliance worked with American Airlines on a competitive package designed to support the early stages of the route and strengthen the long-term success of expanded air service at the State College Regional Airport.

“This significant advancement for our community is a result of dedicated work to demonstrate regional demand and grow air service in Centre County,” Higgins said in a statement.

“This expansion impacts our region’s economic vitality by attracting businesses, strengthening workforce and making it more attainable for residents to reach major hub airports, making this new nonstop service a pivotal development for Central Pennsylvania.”

Eric Engelbarts, president and chief executive officer of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, said air service is essential to tourism growth because it creates more convenient connections and greater access for travelers considering a visit to the region.

The new service to Charlotte will also benefit Penn State University, Centre County’s largest employer and a member of the alliance, according to Michael Wade Smith, senior vice president for external affairs and chief of staff at Penn State.

“As an institution with a global reach, this expansion in air service to such a critical international hub is excellent and welcome news for our students, faculty and staff who have commitments away from the Centre region,” he said.

“It also will allow our corporate partners, alumni and donors to engage more efficiently with the University, so we are grateful for the collaboration behind the State College Air Service Alliance and look forward to the future growth it will bring to the State College Regional Airport.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.