News Summary
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport has reported a remarkable 26.4% increase in passenger boardings in April compared to the previous year. This upswing is primarily driven by Breeze Airways, which experienced an impressive over 300% rise in boardings. Overall, the airport has witnessed a consistent upward trend in ridership alongside significant developments, such as a new rental car service facility and expanded flight services to popular destinations, promising a bright future for air travel in the region.
Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport has experienced a significant surge in passenger boardings, reporting a 26.4% increase in April 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. This surge can be largely attributed to a remarkable rise in boardings on Breeze Airways, which saw an increase of over 300%.
According to Airport Director Carl Beardsley Jr., the total number of boardings in April 2025 reached 22,556, a rise of 4,704 from the previous year. This monthly performance was shared during the bicounty airport board meeting, where updates on increased passenger activity have become routine. The airport has shown consistent upward trends in ridership; for instance, February 2025 witnessed a 47.6% increase in boardings compared to February 2024, while January recorded a 32.8% rise over the same period.
Overall, the airport reported a 30.9% increase in total boardings throughout 2025, showcasing a growing trend in passenger travel. The notable increase in boardings on Breeze Airways – amounting to 3,071 last month – has played a key role in this growth. Breeze Airways has expanded its offerings from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport, introducing new routes to popular destinations such as Myrtle Beach, SC, and Fort Myers and Tampa, FL. Earlier in January 2024, they also resumed services to Orlando, FL, after a six-year gap when Allegiant Airlines had previously discontinued flights to Florida in January 2018.
While Breeze Airways dominated the boarding increase, other major airlines also saw positive numbers. American Airlines reported a 5.1% boost in boardings, and United Airlines experienced a 21.2% increase compared to April 2024. However, charter flight boardings did experience a slight decrease, dropping from 163 to 145.
The rise in passenger boardings aligns with a 33% increase in total seat availability, primarily driven by Breeze’s new flight services. Beardsley acknowledged the positive contributions from both American Airlines and United Airlines to the airport’s growth, in addition to Breeze Airways’ impressive performance.
The airport’s development has also been bolstered by an $11 million expansion project that included the opening of a new Quick Turn-Around (QTA) rental car service facility. This improvement, launched in October 2023, centralizes rental operations and enhances overall efficiency, significantly reducing vehicle servicing times. The QTA project also incorporates environmental sustainability measures, such as water reclamation car wash systems.
Local economic conditions appear to be favorable, contributing to the increased activity at the airport. A strong economy is believed to be driving the rising ridership numbers, prompting airport management to remain optimistic about future growth prospects. They continue to explore new flight services tailored to meet community demands, ensuring the airport remains a vital transportation hub for the region.
The month-over-month and year-over-year growth trends at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport underline the increased demand for air travel in the region and the successful expansion initiatives undertaken by its management.
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Additional Resources
- Citizens Voice: Increased Passenger Boarding Trend Continues at AVP
- Wikipedia: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport
- Aviation Pros: New Rental Car Service Facility at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Airport
- Google Search: Wilkes-Barre International Airport
- Lehigh Valley Live: Lehigh Valley Bucks Trend of More Guns Seized at Airports
- Google Scholar: Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport
- Aviation Pros: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Sets New Annual Passenger Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wilkes-Barre Airport
- Aviation Pros: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to Concentrate on Ground Projects
- Google News: Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
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