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<p>PITTSTON TWP. &#8212; When you&#8217;re announcing a new loyalty program at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, invite a loyal customer to offer a testimonial.</p><p>Even of the customer had to dial in to the meeting from his office in Bloomsburg.</p><p>That&#8217;s what frequent flyer Ed Keller did Thursday during the monthly meeting of the Bi-county Airport Board.</p><p>Keller was called upon to offer his thoughts on a new program beginning at the airport &#8212; AVP as it is known.</p><p>Carl Beardsley, executive director of the airport, announced the program &#8212; My AVP Airport Loyalty &#8212; which allows customers to earn points when they park at the airport.</p><p>Beardsley explained that the My AVP perks include:</p><p>&#8226; Earn points every time you park</p><p>&#8226; Redeem points for free parking, airline miles and other exciting rewards.</p><p>&#8226; Easily manage customers&#8217; accounts online.</p><p>&#8226; Automated easy-in/easy-out cashier-less lane.</p><p>&#8226; Free membership.</p><p>&#8226; No blackout dates.</p><p>Keller said he has been a frequent customer of AVP since 1998, having flown more than 5 million miles all over the world. He said he averages 300,000 miles in the air per year.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m more than a fan of AVP,&#8221; Keller said via speakerphone. &#8220;I know the people at the airport, from the ticket counter to the administration. If I ever have any challenges, I know I can stop by the office and get them resolved.&#8221;</p><p>Beardsley said customer loyalty is vital to the success of the airport. He said the new FlyAVP program is a way of rewarding customer loyalty.</p><p>&#8220;We never feel we should rest on our laurels,&#8221; Beardsley said. &#8220;That&#8217;s why we established this program to reward those customers who use the airport often.&#8221;</p><p>During his report to the board, Beardsley noted June 2019 was another record month &#8212; the highest June on record for passenger enplanements. He said it was a 12 percent increase over June 2018.</p><p>Beardsley also presented a certificate to retiring employee Paul Sonday, who is leaving the airport after 13 years of service in airport operations.</p><p>&#8220;Paul is known as the &#8216;OK guy,&#8217;&#8221; Beardsley said. &#8220;No matter what we asked Paul to do, his answer was always &#8216;OK.&#8217;&#8221;</p><p>Beardsley introduced Lou Evans of Commonwealth Energy Group, a consultant on energy costs. Evans reported that Engie Co., was selected to conduct an energy study &#8220;of everything in the airport&#8221; at no cost to the airport.</p><p>When the report is compiled, the board can then decide what action it wants to take to save on energy costs.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Carl Beardsley, executive director at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, offers details on the airport&#8217;s new Fly AVP rewards program. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_JULY-AIRPORT-BOARD-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Carl Beardsley, executive director at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, offers details on the airport&#8217;s new Fly AVP rewards program. </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill O&#8217;Boyle | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Airport announces new Fly AVP loyalty program for frequent customers