Hagerstown Regional Airport

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Hagerstown Regional Airport's new commercial carrier has a history of canceling flights that are not profitable, and once canceled a route before service got off the ground. But airport officials said they are confident Allegiant will have the ridership it needs to keep it flying out of Hagerstown Regional Airport. Allegiant Air on Sept. 17 announced plans to start twice-weekly nonstop flights between Hagerstown and Orlando Sanford International Airport in November.

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved a temporary extension of a subsidy program to help Hagerstown Regional Airport land another commercial carrier, according to Sen. Benjamin Cardin's office. The Senate and House have approved the measure, which President Bush is expected to sign, Cardin's office said in a news release. The measure would let Hagerstown Regional Airport continue to be part of an Essential Air Service (EAS) program through Sept. 30, 2009. Cardin's office said Congress is expected to pass a bill next year continuing the operations of the Federal Aviation Administration for another four years and make Hagerstown Regional Airport eligible for the subsidy program for another four years.

The sky will be filled with clearly identifiable flying objects Saturday, July 16, and Sunday, July 17, as the seventh annual Hagerstown Aircraft Services Fly-in and Fairchild Family Reunion attracts pilots, aircraft, former aviation employees and aviation buffs. On both days, free 20-minute plane rides for children ages 8 to 17 in four-passenger Cessna or Piper aircraft will be conducted by pilots with Chapter 36 of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Passengers will receive a certificate identifying them as participants in the EAA's Young Eagle program.

The Washington County Commissioners are considering buying 104 acres of land at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Tuesday, March 2 10 a.m. Washington County Commissioners meeting room 100 W. Washington St., Room 227, Hagerstown

U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, center, receives a tour of Hagerstown Regional Airport's runway expansion project Wednesday from Carolyn Motz, left, manager of the airport. Also on the tour was Washington County Commissioner Doris J. Nipps, right.

Three jet engines are the only usable parts from a Boeing 727 being scrapped Wednesday at Hagerstown Regional Airport. Elkton Recycling is crushing and sorting material from the plane in a corner location of the airport.

This year's convention of the Maryland Aviation Administration and the Maryland Airport Managers Association will be held in Hagerstown. The three-day convention begins today with a dinner reception and concludes at noon Thursday with a tour of the new construction at Hagerstown Regional Airport. "This year's conference is unique because it is the first time for a three-day event, and for many of the attendees, this will be their first time to Hagerstown," said Carolyn Motz, manager of Hagerstown Regional Airport.

Allegiant Air will resume its service between Hagerstown Regional Airport and the Orlando, Fla., area on Friday, according to a company spokeswoman. The airline suspended its service out of Hagerstown Regional Airport from Aug. 17 until Thursday as a business decision. "We seasonally pull down service throughout our system to Florida," Allegiant Air spokeswoman Tyri Squyres wrote in an e-mail. "There is very little demand from customers for flights to Florida in the early fall.

Air View Road, between U.S. 11 and Paradise Church Road, will be closed Monday, Oct. 11, beginning at 6:30 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. as part of Hagerstown Regional Airport's runway improvements. The road will be closed to install a storm drain pipe.

Air Midwest, a U.S. Airways Express carrier that planned to leave Hagerstown Regional Airport, will receive a $650,000 annual federal subsidy to stay there through September 2007. See Saturday's Herald-Mail for the full story.