Airport board approves Life Flight pact; extends Beardsley contract

Bill O’Boyle, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
·3 min read

Dec. 20—PITTSTON TWP. — The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Bi-County Airport Board Tuesday approved a long-term lease agreement with Geisinger Medical Center's Life Flight service and also extended the contract of the airport's executive director Carl Beardsley through 2026.

According to airport Executive Director Carl Beardsley, Geisnger will rent a portion of a new hangar currently under construction. The hangar is expected to be completed by December 2023, Beardsley said.

Geisinger will pay $15.12 per square foot annually to rent approximately 6,500 square foot of hangar space, Beardsley said, noting that agreement is for 10 years with two 5-year renewal options.

Jerry Splitt, Life Flight program director for Geisinger, attended the meeting and he said the Life Flight's needs have grown.

"We value having a strong airport in our region," Splitt said. "We provide 24/7 air and ground service. We look forward to occupying our new space here at the airport."

Splitt said Geisinger houses one helicopter at the airport, part of Life Flight's 9-helicopter fleet in six area bases.

Splitt said Geisinger has been operating at the airport for 21 years.

Airport Board Chairman Chris Chermak and Luzerne County representative Tim McGinley both praised the service, calling Life Flight a critical service for the community.

Beardsley said when constructed, the aircraft hangar will contain approximately 11,976 square feet of hangar space and 3,386 square feet of office space. He said Geisinger Medical Center will lease approximately 3,386 square feet of office space and 3,000 square feet of aircraft hangar space within the hangar exclusively. Additionally, Geisinger Medical Center shall have use of a parking lot adjacent to the hangar.

On other business, the Airport Board:

—Unanimously approved extending Beardsley's contract through 2026. Beardsley's salary is $137,130.40 per year.

—Approved first extension to Tri State Securities for one year, commencing Jan. 26, 2023, and terminating Jan. 25, 2024. The airport agrees to pay TSI for security services according to the following schedule, commencing Jan. 26, 2023:

Hourly rate for Chief, $26.80

Hourly rate for Co-Lead, $25.35

Hourly rate for Regular Security Guard (Armed), $23.55

Beardsley said the rate increase is 6% over the prior year, or approximately $24,000.

—Approved the Airport Supply and Cleaning of Airport Uniforms Agreement between Cintas Corporation Northeast Group, 1065 Hanover St., Suite 105, Wilkes-Barre, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, effective Feb. 1, 2023, through Jan. 31, 2027, at an annual fee of $18,329.28.

—Approved the 2023 budget of $6.9 million in revenues and $7.6 million in expenses.

—Heard Beardsley's monthly report on passenger activity that showed passenger enplanements for the month of November 2022 increased 2.7% to 16,260 from 15,831 in the month of November 2021. Enplanements for November 2022 compared to enplanements for November 2020 increased by 8,762 or 116.9%.

In November 2022, 4 departing flights were cancelled: 1 for ATC/weather; 3 were airline initiated. Also, 3 arriving flights were cancelled: 1 for ATC/weather; 2 were airline initiated.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.