US Airways will once again offer service between University Park and Pittsburgh International Airport with one daily flight beginning Oct. 13, a company spokeswoman said.
The decision comes less than a year after the company eliminated flights between the two airports as part of an overall reduction of more than 100 daily flights into the Pittsburgh airport. The last flight from University Park to Pittsburgh was on Nov. 7, 2004.
"Basically, we heard from customers that they missed being able to connect in Pittsburgh," said US Airways spokeswoman Amy Kudwa.
"It's very surprising to me," said Charles Welch, director of the Centre County Airport Authority. "They were so committed to not doing flights to Pittsburgh from here."
For now, one nonstop daily flight has been added to the University Park schedule. The 35-seat aircraft will leave Pittsburgh daily at 12:20 p.m., arriving at University Park Airport at 2:15 p.m. It will depart University Park, returning to Pittsburgh, at 2:35 p.m.
Kudwa said University Park was one of several airports where US Airways heard "chatter" about the desire for Pittsburgh flights. Some of the flights from other airports have been reinstated as well, she said.
Welch said he hopes the number of flights goes up.
"Anything we can do to encourage US Airways to reinstate flights to Pittsburgh would be good for all of our travelers," he said.
More flights may soon follow, said David Neufer, station manager with US Air Express in the airport. Kudwa said the number of flights between the two airports will be dependent on demand.
"Flight schedules are constantly being changed," Neufer said. "I always figured there would be a time when it would be resumed."
The number of flights between University Park and Philadelphia, increased to seven last year to compensate for the lost Pittsburgh routes, will remain unchanged.
"I don't think you can go to Pittsburgh and get anywhere you can't get to from Philly," Neufer said. "It just opens up more seats for us."
The recent additions "come out in the wash," Kudwa said. While several routes are being added to Pittsburgh, a few are being discontinued. US Airways will have 206 daily flights to and from Pittsburgh, down from 209.
State College Centre Daily Times
