Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport Ends Lousy 2020 Looking for New Year Rebound

Jan. 28—Generally an upbeat guy, Carl Beardsley Jr. read the local airport's performance numbers for 2020 somberly Thursday.

The airport director had pretty much no other way to present them to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board.

After setting passenger departure records two of the last three years, the airport ended its worst year in decades with departures and revenues down dramatically because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In all, only 110,834 people flew out of the airport last year, down from the record 296,632 in 2019, a 62.6% decline. The last time the airport's numbers were so low was the 1960s, spokesman Eric McKitish said after the board's monthly meeting.

"This year, obviously, because of the pandemic, our numbers came down significantly, but 110,000 people, customers going to this airport is at least something positive," Beardsley told the board. "It gives us a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel."

The airport lost numerous flights and one airline, Delta, entirely as airlines cut back their schedules because fewer people traveled worldwide.

The losses also affected the bottom line.

The airport lost another $301,000 in December for a total of almost $2.9 million in losses for the year compared to net income of almost $1.8 million in 2019, airport Assistant Director Gary Borthwick said.

The airport covered the losses with part of its $20 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding received earlier in the year.

"As the vaccine becomes (more widely available), and the businesses decide that they're going to fly, at least somewhat, I think we're going to see increases in those numbers," Beardsley said of departures. "Not that we're going to make up the difference between 2019 and now. It's going to take time, but at least we're moving in the right direction."

Beardsley said neither he nor anyone in the airline industry knows its future.

"We're hopeful that we'll start seeing a turnaround like we're seeing right now and just have incremental growth that shows that the businesses are supporting us, and that the vacationers are supporting us," he said.

In other business, the board:

Reorganized, appointing Luzerne County Councilman Tim McGinley as its chairman for 2021 and Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak as vice chairman.

Approved the 2021 budget of about $6.7 million.

Honored maintenance man Patrick McGowan for 20 years of service.

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