W-b Area Public Schools Provide Everything Students Need To Succeed

Anthony Doria

By JERRY LYNOTT jlynott@leader.net
 Friday, January 17, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





PITTSTON TWP. - Bids on the new airport terminal will be opened Jan. 30 and
nearly 80 companies have shown interest in the estimated $35 million project. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Eleven different packages - from general construction to plumbing,
electrical and installation of a baggage-handling system - will be bid as the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport begins the second phase of its
expansion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pre-bid interest has been strong, Airport Director Barry Centini said
Thursday at the monthly meeting of the Lackawanna and Luzerne bi-county board
of commissioners, which operates the airport. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I know there's a lot of activity. A lot of calls are coming in to our
engineer and engineering firm requesting additional information, asking
questions,'' Centini said. ``We anticipate some good bids on this.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The first phase of a new roadway network and parking garage are more than
half completed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The terminal, to be funded with federal, state and local money, carries the
biggest share of the overall $64 million airport expansion cost. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The expansion was undertaken in late 2001 with the intent to boost economic
development in Northeastern Pennsylvania.A modern terminal and improvements at
the airport will entice more people to use it, attract additional air carriers
or lead current air carriers to increase service, airport officials have said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Centini said passengers have responded well to the three, daily round-trip
flights to Atlanta begun in May by Comair, the Delta Connection. The regional
jets have been more than 80 percent full, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We've had conversations with Delta to see if they would put additional
flights on to alleviate some of the overbookings,'' he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Last week, airport officials met a second time with Northwest Airlines
about beginning regional jet service to the airline's Detroit hub. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 US Airways moved to regional jet service earlier this month and eliminated
its main line jets at the airport. The air carrier switched to the 50- to
60-seat regional jets because of the drop in passengers on the larger jets. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For the year, the number of people boarding planes at the airport increased
from 2001. Enplanements totalled 202,178 for 2002, compared to 188,926 for the
previous year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 2001 the airlines were shut down for a period after the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The latest annual number trails levels of 221,522 in 2000 and 238,193 in
1999. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Financial figures for the airport showed some improvement, said Wy Gowell,
assistant director and business manager. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The airport had a net income of $4,493 in 2002. But operations revenue was
$74,681 less than the figure for 2001. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also during the meeting, the board of commissioners approved the hiring of
two Scranton men to fill vacancies at the airport. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jack Davis of Phelps Street was hired as lead fireman at an hourly rate of
$13.70 effective Tuesday. Philip Hughes of Boulevard Avenue was hired as a
custodian for $10.50 an hour effective Dec. 23. Both are full-time positions
with benefits. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jerry Lynott, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7237. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I know there's a lot of activity. A lot of calls are coming in to our
engineer and engineering firm requesting additional information, asking
questions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Barry Centini &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Airport director &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Airport Work Draws Attention, Official Says 
About 80 Companies Have Asked About The Process To Work On The $35 Million
Terminal Project, Says Airport Director Barry Centini.

Airport Work Draws Attention, Official Says About 80 Companies Have Asked About The Process To Work On The $35 Million Terminal Project, Says Airport Director Barry Centini.