Erie International Airport

Infobox Airport
name = Erie International Airport
nativename = Tom Ridge Field


website= [http://www.erieairport.org www.erieairport.org]

IATA = ERI
ICAO = KERI
type = Public
owner = Erie Municipal Airport Authority
opened = 1952
location = Erie, Pennsylvania
elevation-f = 733
elevation-m = 223.4
coordinates = coord|42|04|55|N|80|10|34|W|type:airport_region:US

r1-number = 6/24
r1-length-f = 6,500
r1-length-m = 1,981
r1-surface = Asphalt/Concrete

r2-number = 2/20
r2-length-f = 3,507
r2-length-m = 1,069
r2-surface = Asphalt

stat1-header= Passengers (2007)
stat1-data = 142,785 Decrease 11%

Erie International Airport / Tom Ridge Field airport codes|ERI|KERI is a public airport serving northwestern Pennsylvania and is located five miles (8 km) southwest of the central business district (CBD) of Erie, a city in Erie County. It features commercial service by regional airlines, connecting passengers to hubs in the northeast, midwest, and southeast. The airport faces stiff competition from the Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo airports, all of which are within two hours of Erie via ground transport. The airport was recognized in 2004 as the third fastest growing airport in the United States, and the fastest growing airport in Pennsylvania. [ [http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/ERIEAIR_NEWS/50304068 Erie Times Article, Fastest Growing] ]

History

Prior to the events of September 11, 2001, the airport was at its height with US Airways mainline jets offering service to Pittsburgh and international service to Toronto. [ [http://erieairport.com/gallery/canadian.jpg/ Canadian 737 Parked at Terminal.] ] [ [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001214X41327&key=1 NTSB Accident Report involving a scheduled USAir flight from Toronto.] ] After 9/11, US Airways transitioned from 737s and DC-9s to regional jet service. [ [http://erieairport.com/gallery/b737.jpgUS Airways 737 at terminal.] ] As air service rebounded in the mid 2000's, the airport offered service on US Airways Express to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Charlotte; Northwest Airlink to Detroit; Continental Connection to Cleveland; and Delta Connection to Cincinnati and Atlanta. The airport is reportedly looking to expand service to New York, Chicago, and many other cities. The airport has been served by many airlines over the years. [ [http://erieairport.com/gallery6.html Photos showing multiple airlines at airport.] ] US Airways discontinued Charlotte service in 2006. Delta Airlines discontinued service to Atlanta on 6 September 2007. In early 2008, US Airways discontinued Erie-Pittsburgh service. As of August 2008, US Airways Express service has been reduced to three flights a day to Philadelphia; Northwest Airlink offers five flights a day to Detroit; and Continental Connection offers four flights a day to Cleveland. As is the case across the country, the high cost of fuel is causing airlines to reduce regional flying and cut routes to smaller airports such as Erie.

Current News

Erie International is in the process of a major expansion program. The plan includes expanding runway 6/24, establishing a relationship with an airport in Germany to create a major cargo bridge, and attracting new airlines offering service to more destinations. The terminal is very navigable and has virtually no wait at the security check-point. About 200,000 people used the airport in 2006, and that is down 14% due to airlines cutting back on seats.

Facilities

Erie International/Tom Ridge Field covers convert|450|acre|ha|0|lk=on and has two runways:
* Runway 2/20: 3,507 x 150 ft (1,069 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
* Runway 6/24: 6,500 x 150 ft (1,981 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt/Concrete

Airlines and destinations

* Continental Airlines
**Continental Connection operated by CommutAir (Cleveland)
* Northwest Airlines
** Northwest Airlink operated by Mesaba Aviation (Detroit)
** Northwest Airlink operated by Pinnacle Airlines (Detroit)
* US Airways
** US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin (Philadelphia) [ends November 1]
** US Airways Express operated by Piedmont Airlines (Philadelphia)
**During the month of October, Air Wisconsin and Piedmont Airlines will both operate flights to and from ERI. Starting November 1st, 2008, all US Airways Express flights into and out of ERI will be operated by Piedmont Airlines.

Accidents/Incidents

*In 1986 USAir Flight 499, a DC-9, from Toronto Pearson landed on snow covered runway 24, and slid off the runway to rest over Asbury Road on the western perimeter of the airport. [ [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001214X41327&key=1 NTSB Accident Report] ]
*In 1984, a USAir chartered flight, an MD-80 carrying a football team, landed in snowy conditions on a soft patch of land next to the runway. [ [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001213X32835&key=1 NTSB Accident Report] ]

References

* [http://www.gcr1.com/5010web/airport.cfm?Site=ERI Airport Master Record (FAA Form 5010)] , also available as a [http://www.gcr1.com/5010web/Rpt_5010.asp?au=PU&o=PU&faasite=20355.*A&fn=ERI printable form] (PDF)
* [http://www.erieairport.org/ Erie International Airport] (official web site)

External links

* [http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdBOA.nsf/infoErieIntl Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation: Erie International Airport]
*FAA-diagram|00139