Will State College Regional Airport add jetways? Funding sought for $11M project
Hoping to secure federal grant funding for an $11 million project to build two new passenger ramps at the State College Regional Airport, the Centre County Airport Authority met last week with the region’s member of Congress.
U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, was briefed on the project Thursday and discussed federal funding the authority hopes to receive from the $1 trillion infrastructure legislation that passed in 2021.
The airport plans to construct two passenger boarding bridges — also known as a jet bridge or jetway — so travelers can board and disembark an aircraft without having to go outside. The authority said the project would enhance the travel experience, as well as increase safety and make the small airport more efficient.
The design phase of the project is nearly complete. A grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration is to be submitted in the summer and authority board member George Khoury said they hope to receive a decision by the fall.
If awarded, construction is expected to begin in spring 2026. Khoury said about 95% of the project cost would be covered by the grant, while the remaining 5% would require a state and local match.
If the authority is not successful, Khoury said the authority would look for other grant funding if their application to fund a project that’s been in the works since 2022 is turned aside. Two additional boarding bridges are planned for future years. They would not be covered by the grant funding the airport hopes to secure this year.
Nearly 275,000 passengers funneled through the airport in 2023, a nearly 24% increase over the previous year but still well short of air travel before the coronavirus pandemic.
Penn State owns the airport and is responsible for its administration, planning, development, operation, maintenance and security, while the airport authority handles commercial airline operations and parking.