Spirit Airlines is slated to resume limited flights from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on May 3, a little less than a month after suspending all service at the Unity facility.
The sole commercial carrier at the airport south of Latrobe, Spirit is expected to resume mid-day flights from Latrobe to Orlando, Fla., on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, according to Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority.
Spirit stopped all flights at the airport on April 8, and stored some of its aircraft there, after Monzo noted bookings for the airline’s 175-seat planes had fallen to an average of no more than 10 passengers each amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In response, the airport furloughed about a third of its 90 workers.
“We’ll bring some people back,” Monzo said Monday, noting the number and pace of worker call-backs will depend on how quickly Spirit is able to resume additional flights each week. “They’re starting with three, but we’re anticipating there will be more,” he said.
A Spirit spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Before the suspension of service, Spirit also offered regular flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and to other Florida destinations — Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers and Tampa.
The Unity airport has remained open for private aviation and charter flights.
Nighttime work began last week on a $13.2 million project to widen the runway from 100 feet to 150 feet. Monzo said work is taking place between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and won’t interfere with flights.
Monzo said the airport will continue to take extra precautions against spread of the coronavirus. Flight reservations will not be available at ticket counters and will continue to be handled remotely.
All those entering the terminal building will be required to wear a face covering.
“When we’re bringing people through the terminal, we’re going to maintain separation as best we can,” he said. “The terminal will be cleaned immediately after every departure.”
Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, [email protected] or via Twitter .
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