Contour Aviation CEO Matt Chaifetz speaks with members of the Altoona-Blair County Airport Authority board of directors Wednesday during a kickoff event at the airport. Board members from left to right: Vice Chairman Drew Swope, Adam Conrad, Herb Bolger, Chairman Mike Ritchey, Secretary Adam Ward, airport manager Tracy Plessinger, Gary Orner and Seth Smith. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

Altoona-Blair County Airport manager Tracy Plessinger talks about the airport’s reroute to the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport during a press conference Wednesday as Matt Chaifetz, Contour Aviation’s chief executive officer, looks on. The airport’s new four-year contract with Contour will provide 12 weekly roundtrip flights to Charlotte-based airport where people can connect to American Airlines and visit hundreds of destinations.
Mirror photo by Matt Churella

MARTINSBURG — There’s never been a better time to fly out of the Altoona-Blair County Airport, according to Tracy Plesssinger, the airport’s manager.

On Wednesday, Plessinger and Matt Chaifetz, Contour Aviation’s chief executive officer, held a press conference at the airport to highlight the many benefits of a new four-year contract, which began Tuesday and provides 12 weekly roundtrip flights to the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Chaifetz said the contract opens up access to a network of domestic and international flights through American Airlines, Contour’s interline partner.

There are about 700 connecting flights out of Charlotte compared to about 50 connecting flights at Philadelphia International Airport, the former destination for flying out of the Altoona-Blair County Airport, according to Gary Orner, an airport authority board member.

Chaifetz said Contour has already signed an agreement to partner with United Airlines, which will go into effect later this month. Although United Airlines doesn’t fly to a lot of destinations from Charlotte, it will add another option for people to travel in and out of the area, he said.

“We’re offering more options, more choices and better connections,” Chaifetz said, noting there’s already been “a tremendous response” for the 30-passenger jet service to Charlotte.

As of last week, Chaifetz said Contour has had more passengers book flights from Altoona to Charlotte than they’ve carried in a full month to Philadelphia.

“It’s already substantially more popular than Philadelphia ever was,” Chaifetz said, noting in the airline industry, markets typically mature and get better over time.

In addition to having more options for passengers, Contour also has more resources — mechanics and aircraft — in Charlotte, Chaifetz said, noting delays and cancellations are less likely to occur in the future since the jet will now overnight at the Altoona-Blair County Airport.

Orner said having an aircraft and crew based at the airport is “the real key” to addressing past customer frustrations.

“We are not dependent on somebody flying here to depart. We’re ready to go,” Orner said. “The first departure should be on time every time and that’s the greatest thing.”

Members from the Blair, Bedford and Huntingdon chambers were in attendance, along with local and state government officials, who all stated approval of the new agreement.

Tom Seasoltz, the Altoona Blair County Development Corp.’s chief financial officer, said air travel and transportation is vital to any successful economic development strategy.

“Providing a way for people to come to Blair County … is so crucial to what we do,” Seasoltz said.

Patrick Schurr, Explore Altoona’s partnership development director, said the agreement is great for the area. “It’s a great thing for tourism as well,” he said.

State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, said many people travel south from the airport, especially in the winter. She said the region is “very fortunate” to have a community airport with several services.

Plessinger said the airport’s goal is to have all the amenities that a city airport would have but on a smaller scale.

La Fiesta offers lunch and dinner for passengers, but Plessinger said the restaurant is also a popular destination for the local community. Avis Budget allows travelers to rent cars and explore the area, he said.

The airport also offers free parking, which Plessinger said is “a great advantage over big city airports.”

Fares for the airport’s service to Charlotte start at $59 one-way. There are early morning and early afternoon departures and mid-morning and evening inbound flights, according to Chaifetz.

“It’s the most economical way to fly and we invite everyone to come try it,” Plessinger said. “It’s the best service that the Altoona-Blair County Airport has ever had.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.