Sun Air Express Chooses Pittsburgh As 'Focus City'

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald was joined today by officials from Sun Air Express, the Allegheny County Airport Authority and federal and state government in announcing that Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will be a focus city for the airline.

Beginning next month, Sun Air will add up to 50 flights, combined, per week to the airport to/from Altoona, PA (AOO) and Jamestown, NY (JHW). Additionally, service will also be provided to/from Lancaster, PA (LNS) in November, with destinations of Bradford, PA and Franklin/Oil City, PA expected to be online before the end of the year.

“This new air service helps the residents and visitors to those communities that are served as well as our economy,” said Fitzgerald. “It also provides ongoing support to the energy sector, which continues to be a strong driver of the economic growth in our region.”

The new flights on Ft.Lauderdale-based Sun Air Express are expected to begin on November 1, 2014. Tickets to these markets will be available for purchase at http://flysunairexpress.com beginning next week. Today, Sun Air Express serves Lancaster, PA and Hagerstown, MD with service to Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia. The commuter airline operates a fleet of Piper Navajo aircraft fitted with nine passenger seats.

Sun Air’s choosing Pittsburgh follows the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program, which guarantees small communities will be served by certificated air carriers. The Program currently subsidizes commuter airlines to serve approximately 163 rural communities across the country that would otherwise not receive any scheduled air service.