Spirit Airlines’ sudden departure from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport when the carrier went bankrupt has actually become an upgrade in air service for Westmoreland County.
The turning point was winning $1.3 million in federal and state subsidies. A new carrier, Breeze Airways, has a financial safety net guaranteeing a set amount of revenue to cover potential losses.
But red ink seems unlikely.
The airline’s first flights to Myrtle Beach in February are already sold out! Airport Authority Executive Director Moe Haas, US Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler and State Senator Kim Ward all played key roles in securing the subsidies.
Breeze flights to South Carolina, and later next year to Orlando, will be utilizing a $28 million terminal expansion with two gates and more passenger space. And the airport is looking to hire more than a dozen part-time workers.
Congratulations Latrobe! The air service Westmoreland County is getting is a major improvement from what was lost.
