Erie International Airport

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Erie International Airport
Tom Ridge Field
ERI logo.png
IATA: ERIICAO: KERIFAA LID: ERI
ERI is located in Pennsylvania
ERI
Location of airport in Pennsylvania
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Erie Municipal Airport Authority
Location Millcreek Township, Erie County, near Erie, Pennsylvania
Opened 1952
Elevation AMSL 733 ft / 223.4 m
Coordinates 42°04′55″N 80°10′34″W / 42.08194°N 80.17611°W / 42.08194; -80.17611
Website www.erieairport.org
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
6/24 7,500 1,981 Asphalt/Concrete
2/20 3,507 1,069 Asphalt
Statistics
Passengers (2009) 121,164 Decrease 2.8%[1]

Erie International Airport / Tom Ridge Field (IATA: ERIICAO: KERIFAA LID: ERI) 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.[2]

Contents

History[edit]

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.[3][4] After 9/11, US Airways transitioned from 737s and DC-9s to regional jet service.[5] As air service rebounded in the mid-2000s, 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.[6] US Airways discontinued Charlotte service in 2006. Delta Air Lines discontinued service to Atlanta on 6 September 2007. In early 2008, US Airways discontinued Erie-Pittsburgh service. As of January 2010, US Airways Express service has been reduced to three flights daily to Philadelphia; Delta Connection offers five flights daily to Detroit; and United Express offers four flights daily 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. During the winter months when weather is typically dangerous, flights into Erie often become diverted to Cleveland or Buffalo.

Current News[edit]

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. About 200,000 people used the airport in 2006, and that is down 14% due to airlines cutting back on seats. But, the number of passengers did increase by 16.1% in 2010 from 2009.[7]

Shops and restaurants[edit]

The airport is served by the ERI Cafe, a small gift shop, and several vending machines.

Facilities[edit]

Erie International/Tom Ridge Field covers 450 acres (182 ha) and has two runways:

  • Runway 2/20: 3,507 x 150 ft (1,069 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
  • Runway 6/24: 7,500 x 150 ft (1,981 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt/Concrete

Airlines and destinations[edit]

The last DC-9 to fly for US Air arriving at Erie International Airport.
Airlines Destinations
Delta Connection operated by Pinnacle Airlines Detroit
United Express operated by CommutAir Cleveland
US Airways Express operated by Piedmont Airlines Philadelphia

Ground transportation[edit]

Various taxis have access to and from the airport. The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority has two bus routes which stop at the airport. Avis Rent a Car System, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, The Hertz Corporation, and National Car Rental have car rental counters.

Accidents/Incidents[edit]

  • 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.[8]
  • In 1984, a Spirit Airlines chartered flight, an DC-9 carrying a football team, landed in snowy conditions on a soft patch of land next to the runway.[9]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 42°05′06″N 80°10′51″W / 42.08497°N 80.18079°W / 42.08497; -80.18079