Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport Sets Plans for Terminal Expansion
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is gearing up for a significant terminal expansion, scheduled to commence in September. This development follows the airport board’s recent approval of nearly $13.6 million in construction contracts.
The expansion will increase the current 130,000-square-foot terminal by an additional 10,000 square feet. This new area aims to accommodate more passengers at the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, a move intended to improve passenger flow and enhance safety during future health crises.
Stephen Mykulyn, the interim executive director, remarked on the project’s importance: “We’re modernizing and updating the (passenger) exit lane.” He stressed that the updates are necessary to reduce congestion and streamline the exit process.
Construction Details and Timeline
The renovation is expected to take 16 months, with work starting after securing the required grants. The expansion also includes the creation of a lounge for those waiting on arriving passengers, as highlighted by Mykulyn.
The board awarded contracts to several companies, including:
- D&M Construction Unlimited, Inc. of Dalton for general construction at $9,617,000.
- Scranton Electric Heating & Cooling Systems, Inc. of Throop for mechanical work at $903,003 and plumbing at $428,236.
- McFarland Johnson Inc. of Binghamton, N.Y. for construction administration and observation at $2,605,266.
McFarlane Johnson was previously contracted in April 2023 to design the project, with a fee of $1,296,605. The Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Transportation are the primary financial supporters, with some funding from airport passenger fees.
Airport Traffic and Leadership Search
Meanwhile, the airport is experiencing a rise in passenger numbers. Beth Coslett, air service development manager, reported that March saw 21,916 departures, marking a 2.1% increase compared to the same month last year. This figure is the second-highest March total since 1985, with the 2019 record at 25,431.
Following the departure of former director Carl Beardsley, the airport is in the process of searching for a new executive director. Chris Chermak, a Lackawanna County Commissioner, has been rumored to be considering the role but has not confirmed his candidacy. “That is a rumor,” Chermak stated, neither confirming nor denying his interest.
The airport board appointed Mykulyn as interim director and engaged ADK Consulting & Executive Search to assist in finding Beardsley’s successor. The application deadline is May 10, with hopes of appointing a new director by July.
