Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Board Approves Contract With Geisinger

Dec. 21—PITTSTON TWP. — The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board approved an agreement to lease space on a portion of a new hangar to Geisinger Medical Center.

Per the 10-year contract, Geisinger will pay $15.12 per square foot annually to rent approximately 6,500 square feet in the new hangar, said Carl Beardsley Jr., executive director of the airport, following a board meeting Tuesday.

Beardsley added there are two, five-year renewals available once the term expires.

"It's going to create some traffic on the ramp that we haven't seen in quite some time," he said.

Construction of the new building is expected to be completed by December 2023, Beardsley said.

Geisinger has been operating at the airport for 21 years and has 24/7 air and ground service through a Life Flight helicopter and critical care ambulance, said Jerry Splitt, Life Flight program manager for Geisinger.

"The space we're in right now was designed for one team and we doubled the size of our staff," Splitt said. "We're out of room. We went from three people a shift to sometimes nine or 10."

Geisinger currently leases 3,841 square feet on the general aviation ramp, Beardsley said.

Beardsley is glad to see Geisinger signing on to remain within the airport.

"They're such an integral part of the community and they provide such a good service," he said.

Beardsley reported passenger boardings were up 2.7% in November over the same month last year — led by United Airlines, which increased by 27.4%.

He added seat availability increased by 3.8%, again led by United, which had a 58.2% jump.

The airport board also voted to extend Beardsley's contract through 2026.

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