New Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport Terminal Will Feature More Ad Area

July 13, 2005
The privately held Interspace Airport Advertising, based in Allentown, has been working with the local airport since 1982 and renewed the partnership for another 10 years until 2015.

PITTSTON TWP. Its not often that Christopher Betz gets to work on a fresh canvas, but thats the case with the new terminal building at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.

No, Betz wont be setting up an easel inside the 127,000-square-foot terminal set to open in January. But the project coordinator with Interspace Airport Advertising has the opportunity to get involved during the construction stage.

Its very rare that an airport will build an entire new building, said Betz, who recalled a similar situation in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and the construction of the Okaloosa County Air Terminal.

The privately held Interspace Airport Advertising, based in Allentown, has been working with the local airport since 1982 and renewed the partnership for another 10 years until 2015, Betz said on Tuesday.

The bigger terminal, being built as part of a more than $70 million airport expansion, offers more advertising and display space than the existing building. The company, which handles advertising and display programs for more than 200 airports in the United States and around the world, plans to develop a corporate and community showcase based on a Northeastern Pennsylvania theme. Interspace will invest more than $60,000 in initial capital to create the showcase.

We try to reflect the whole community if we can, Betz said.

With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton being a destination airport rather than a hub where people catch connecting flights, travelers should get a good feel for what the region is like when they see the showcase, he added.

Local businesses and companies will be able to have their names and products displayed on signs and message boards . Four specialty display areas will have room to accommodate cars, boats, furniture or trade show displays. And a graphic wall mural, 40 feet by 10 feet, will be situated above the baggage carousel.

Betz said the mural, which is still in the planning stage, could be a montage of photos. Were not exactly sure what the image is going to be yet. We have a little time to reflect on it.