Airport Official Says it's Not Clear if Delta will Return, or Why Executive Director is on Leave

July 26, 2021

It isn't known if Delta Air Lines will be coming back to Erie International Airport. Also not known is the status of the airport's executive director.

For travelers, it isn't clear if the airline has permanently ended Erie service.

"I don't know if this is permanent or if it's an extension of the temporary hold on service that the airline announced last year. I wasn't in on those conversations," James Pacansky, the airport's chief financial officer, said Monday.

Last July: Delta suspends Erie flights starting July 8

Delta suspended service in Erie and other cities in July 2020 "until further notice," citing lagging air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for reducing services.

Erie News Now first reported that the airline's signs have been removed from the ticket counters at the airport.

"We're trying to put some of the pieces together right now," Pacansky said Monday.

Pacansky, who is doubling as acting executive director for the airport, also said that Executive Director Derek Martin is on leave from his duties.

A member of the Erie Regional Airport Authority — speaking off the record on Monday — confirmed that Martin is on leave but said that authority members have not been told why Martin is not on the job or if or when he will return.

"We're expecting answers on Wednesday," said the member.

Martin is to serve until 2026: Erie Regional Airport Authority extends airport executive director's contract

The authority holds its monthly meeting at the Intermodal Center on Wednesday at noon.

The authority in October extended Martin's contract until 2026. Martin was hired in 2018 for a five-year term as executive director, until August 2023.

United service expands: New Erie-to- Washington nonstop air service flies into county

Erie International Airport is served by American Airlines, with Charlotte, North Carolina, flights, and United Airlines, with flights to and from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport.

Contact Valerie Myers at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ETNmyers.

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