Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) experienced significant growth in 2024, with an 11% increase in scheduled airline seats compared to the previous year. According to a report by ABC27, HIA sold close to 830,000 seats over the year. This growth is part of a broader trend among Pennsylvania's largest airports, with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh also seeing increases of 8% to 11%.
American Airlines played a significant role in the growth at both Philadelphia and Harrisburg airports, focusing on midsized domestic markets. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's growth was supported by a mix of airlines, including low-cost carriers like Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, and Breeze.
Despite the positive trend at these major airports, not all Pennsylvania airports fared as well. State College, for instance, saw a 16% decrease in scheduled seats compared to 2023. Over the long term, many Pennsylvania airports have fewer airline seats than they did two decades ago, largely due to airline mergers and the closure of hubs.