SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE 

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

 DOCKET OST-2012-0069

Respectfully submitted by:

The Bradford Regional Airport Authority
June 10, 2012

Ms. Aloha Ley

Office of Aviation Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W86-310

Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Ms. Ley: 

On behalf of the Bradford Regional Airport Authority and its supporting 

jurisdictions, please find enclosed the Bradford Regional Airport Authority’s proposal and 

four (4) copies for consideration in the Small Community Air Service Development 

Program.

Bradford, Pennsylvania and the surrounding region represents the kind of 

community that the grant was designed to assist. We are a rural community that has 

struggled with air service issues in the past. As the proposal will outline, the Bradford 

Regional Airport Authority has implemented many successful programs over the last 

several years and the award of a small community grant will assist in the continued 

development of air service in our region of Pennsylvania. 

This proposal seeks to expand these marketing efforts through the assistance of 

a Small Community Air Service Grant and return the community to self-sufficiency.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Thomas C. Frungillo

Thomas C. Frungillo, A.A.E

Airport Director
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Contents of Proposal

Background

Historical Air Service

Current Air Service 

EAS Order Requesting Proposals 

Goals

Air Service Development Action Plan

Summary of Request

Billboard Advertising

Newspaper Advertising

Radio Advertising

Travel Banks

Timetable

Funding

Monitoring the Success of the Program

Airport Business Council

Self-Sustaining

Alternative Plan

Airport and Community Contact Information

Airport and Community Name

Additional Community Member

Project Sponsor

Endorsement 
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Background

Since 1948 the Bradford Regional Airport has provided commercial air service to 

residents in a 5 county region in Northwestern Pennsylvania and Cattaraugus County in 

New York. 

The Bradford Regional Airport is located approximately 16 miles south of the city of 

Bradford and 20 miles south of the New York border. Analysis of this market area shows

that the Bradford Regional Airport loses passengers from its multi-county market area to 

larger airports such as Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Erie International Airport, 

and Pittsburgh International Airport. Each of these larger, competing airports is two or 

more hours away from the airport’s primary market area.

The market population is over 220,000 and includes McKean County (43,537), Elk 

County (32,268), Warren County (43,863), Cameron County (5,974), Potter County 

(18,080) and Cattaraugus County, NY (79,688).

The Bradford Regional Airport Authority was created in 1967 under the Municipal 

Authorities Act of 1945 and includes the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Warren, 

and is the governing body of the airport. Although the airport is located in McKean 

County and derives the most benefit, the airport is a regional asset.

As part of the economic development strategy for McKean County retaining commercial 

air service is critical for existing businesses and in the attraction of new businesses to 

the region. The six (6) county market areas has always been a leader in the oil & gas 

industry as well as the timber industry.

Development of the Marcellus Shale is expected to create more than 98,000 jobs and 

contribute upwards of $14 billion into the state’s economy, according to a recent report 

by the Pennsylvania State University.

Oil and gas Exploration firms have significantly increased their activity in the region and 

are inquiring about commercial air service to locate or expand their facilities. 

Historical Air Service 

Between 1995 and 2000, Bradford Regional Airport experienced a decrease in its 

scheduled departures, available seats, and the size of the aircraft serving the market. 

After September 11, 2001, this downward trend in departures and seats accelerated and

reached an all time low in 2011. 

A significant portion of the annual demand for commercial air service travel in this multicounty market area is served by other airports. In recent years, passenger diversion to 

more distant airports has increased as low-fare carriers have begun operations in both 

Buffalo and Cleveland, and as Pittsburgh International has decreased fares to maintain 

its competitive position.
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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As shown in the table below, the number of enplanements from the airport has declined 

steadily since September 9, 2011. 

1995 2000 2003

Annual Enplanements 15,083 12,833 3,940

Scheduled Flight Departures 1,851 1,665 686

Scheduled Departing Seats 40,167 31,445 12,597

Avg. Seats per Flight 22 19 19

Annual enplanements at Bradford Regional Airport peaked at 16,698 in 1992. Since 

1994, enplaned passengers at the airport declined, reaching a 30 year low in 2003. 

Annual enplanements in 2004 nearly doubled to 8,071 due in part to the addition of a 3rd

flight and competitive air fares. In November 2004, shortly after Colgan began providing 

air service in Bradford, a fourth flight was added. 

We project that the strategic marketing plan outlined in this proposal will enable the 

airport to recapture lost market share and return to its historical levels of enplanements. 

Increased enplanements will improve Silver’s load factor and financial performance in 

the Bradford market and should allow the airport to reduce its dependence on the EAS 

subsidy program.

Year Enplanements

1990 13,815

1991 14,154

1992 16,698

1993 14,871

1994 15,970

1995 15,083

1996 13,977

1997 14,184

1998 13,377

1999 12,868

2000 12,833

2001 8,918

2002 6,109

2003 3,940

*2004 8,071

2005 5,364

2006 3,609

2007 3,036

2008 4,954

2009 2,599

2010 2,854

2011 2,589
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Current Air Service

Bradford Regional Airport is served by a single carrier (United Express/Silver Airways) to 

a single hub (Cleveland-Hopkins) exclusively by the 19-seat Beech 1900 aircraft. With 

three (3) flights per day during the weekday, one (1) flight on Saturday and two (2) flights 

on Sunday, additionally service is shared with Jamestown, NY further reducing the 

available seats and reliability rate.

EAS Order Requesting Proposals 

The Department of Transportation on May 9th, 2012 issued the Order Requesting 

Proposals from air carriers interested in providing Essential Air Service beginning 

October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2014. Proposals are due June 21, 2012.

In the Order Requesting Proposals from air carriers, the Department of Transportation 

addresses a Special discussion concerning Bradford:

The current average daily enplanements at Bradford are 8.8, commensurate with the 

FAA Moderation and reform Act of 2012, February 14, 2012, P.L. 112-95 communities 

will not be eligible for subsidized EAS if enplanements per day are fewer than 10 and the 

community is located within 175 miles of a large or medium hub airport. Bradford is 

located 76 miles from Buffalo Niagara International Airport, a medium hub. As stated in 

P.L. 112-95, the fewer than 10 enplanement per day provision will be used measuring 

FY2013 passenger data (October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2013). The data will 

likely be available January 2014, and the communities’ eligible status will be determined 

accordingly. Any carrier that proposes service at Bradford should be aware of this 

situation and aggressively promote and stimulate traffic at the community to ensure their 

continued eligibility in the EAS Program.

** Average daily enplanement requirement = total traffic divided by 313 service days divided by 2 

Goals

In order to continue eligibility in the EAS Program, Bradford Regional Airport must 

increase the average daily enplanements above the 10 passenger requirement. 

Bradford Regional Airport has forged a strong partnership with Silver Airways; both 

parties are committed to strengthening the competitive position of the airport. With more 

competitive airfares, convenient schedule, and the possibility of a change in the 

destination hub to Pittsburgh International Airport, both parties will work hard at 

marketing the new service and destination.

Pittsburgh International Airport has been working on an inter-line baggage agreement, 

where the airport would handle baggage and thus access to Low Cost Carriers (LCC’s) 

such as Southwest would become an opportunity to increase passenger traffic.

This innovative concept may become a new approach for de-hubbed airports such as 

Pittsburgh to become the central hub it once was and relieve congestion at other 

airports.
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Additionally Marcellus Shale companies are locating to Pittsburgh as a hub for oil and 

gas activity; direct service into Pittsburgh will allow these types on companies’ access 

into our region.

The goals of our proposal are straightforward:

• Expand the marketing and advertising campaign already started through the 

partnership of the Bradford Regional Airport, Silver Airways, Bradford Travel 

and the Bradford Area Alliance (a CEO led group including twelve of the 

major employers in the region).

• Promote the advantages and convenience of the Bradford Regional Airport 

throughout the region.

• Educate the leisure traveler on internet technology and tools available to find 

the lowest fares.

• Establish Travel bank with local businesses

• Establish a everyday / walk up fare to Pittsburgh or Cleveland

• Promote commercial air service to oil & gas companies

• Recapture passengers who are now flying out of more distant airports.

• Increase the number of average daily enplanements above the 10 passenger 

requirement.

• Increase the load factor and profitability of Silver Airways, so the EAS 

Program funding is no longer required.

Air Service Development Action Plan

Summary of Request

The Bradford Regional Airport in partnership with Silver Airways., Bradford Travel and 

the Bradford Area Alliance; hereby requests $120,400 under the Small Community Air 

Service Development Program. This will be matched by $40,000 in local funding and 

$20,400 in-kind funding.

The $40,000 local community match will be provided by the Bradford Area Alliance.

The Bradford Area Alliance is a CEO led organization representing thirteen of the major 

employers in the Bradford area. Members of the Alliance include Zippo Manufacturing

Company, W.R. Case Cutlery, KOA Speer Electronics Inc., Top Line Manufacturing, 

American Refining Group, Allegany Bradford Corporation, Kessel Construction, Bradford 

Regional Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Bradford Forest Products,

PNC Bank, Northwest Savings Bank, and Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems.
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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The $120,400 of marketing funds will be utilized for the following initiatives:

• Billboard advertising throughout the six (6) county regions to include the 

southern part of New York State.

• Newspaper and radio advertising to promote the airports new air service and 

marketing campaign.

• Promotion, marketing and set-up of a local Travel Bank, where companies 

will be educated on how to set up and use travel banks.

Billboard Advertising

Currently the Bradford Regional Airport, Silver Airways and Bradford Travel Partnership 

are utilizing billboard advertising in limited locations with billboard advertising to be 

placed in a different location every month for a period of three (3) months.

The Partnership will double the billboard advertising to three (3) billboards a month to be 

advertised through out the six county regions for a period of 2 years. It is our belief this 

will increase public awareness and increase passenger usage of the air service.

Billboard advertising will also keep the Bradford Regional Airport in the minds of the 

traveler which may normally choose another airport and which does not use a travel 

agency for their bookings.

The cost estimate of Billboard advertising for 2 years

$2,000 / month times 24 months = $48,000

Newspaper Advertising

Limited Newspaper advertising has been provided through the partnership of Bradford 

Travel and the Bradford Regional Airport. Advertisement listed sample fares to the most 

popular destinations, comparisons to flights out of Buffalo International Airport, and the 

benefits of flying out of Bradford Regional Airport, such as; free parking, travel time, and 

short security lines.

The primary newspapers in the six (6) county regions include the Bradford Era, the

Ridgway Record and the Olean Times Herald. 

The advertisements would be placed in each of the three (3) newspapers four (4) times 

a month. The advertisements would include the advantages of flying out of Bradford 

Regional Airport and sample pricing to the most popular destinations.

The cost estimate of the newspaper advertising for 2 years:

Average advertisement cost per newspaper: $500 / month.

$500 / month advertised in 3 newspapers for 24 months = $36,000
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Radio Advertising

Radio advertising will consist of similar content as in the newspapers.

The cost of a six (6) 30 second spots per day on WESB AM and WBRR, five days a 

week, is estimated as $400 per week.

We feel every other week for twenty (26) weeks for a 2 year period would build 

awareness.

The cost estimate of the radio advertising for 2 years:

$400 / week for 52 weeks (2 years) = $20,800

Travel Banks

Companies in the Bradford Area Alliance which include Zippo Manufacturing Company, 

W.R. Case Cutlery, KOA Speer Electronics Inc., Top Line Manufacturing, American 

Refining Group, Allegany Bradford Corporation, Kassel Construction, Bradford Regional 

Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Bradford Forest Products, National 

City Bank, Northwest Savings Bank, and Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems will 

be asked to establish travel banks to show their commitment to using the air service.

Additionally a Marketing Representative will seek other businesses in the region to 

support and provide assistance in establishing and marketing travel banks.

The cost estimate for salary, time, travel, etc.:

$300/ week for 52 weeks (1 year) = $15,600

Timetable

Start 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months 18 Months 24 Months

Develop 

Marketing 

Plan and 

Campaign 

Plan

Visit local

travel 

agencies and 

set-up 

program

Set beginning 

markers

Advertise 

Campaign

Monthly

progress 

reports 

submitted

Passenger 

levels 

increase by 

75 a month

Advertise 

Campaign 

active

Passenger 

levels 

increase by 

100 a month

Monthly 

progress 

reports

submitted

Advertise 

Campaign in 

progress

Passenger 

levels 

continue to 

increase by 

100 a month

Monthly 

progress 

reports

Submitted

Advertise 

Campaign in 

progress

Passenger 

levels 

continue to 

increase by 

200 a month

Monthly 

progress 

reports

submitted

Advertise 

Campaign 

progress

Comes to an 

end

Passenger 

levels 

continue to 

increase by 

200 a month

Monthly 

progress 

reports

Submitted

Program 

judged a 

success
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Utilizing the 2,589 (215 enplaned passengers per month average) enplanements for the 

year of 2011 as a base line starting point, it is the goal of the Bradford Regional Airport 

to increase the average daily enplanements above the 10 passenger requirement.

5,500 total passenger / 313 / 2 = 8.8 daily passengers

** Average daily enplanement requirement = total traffic divided by 313 service days divided by 2

1st Year Goals

2011 1st Month 2nd Month 3rd Month Remaining 9 Months Total

5,500 75 75 75 100 6,625

6,625 total passenger / 313 / 2 = 10.58 daily passengers

2nd Year Goals

2012 200 additional passenger per month for 12 months Total

6,625 2,400 9,025

9,025 total passenger / 313 / 2 = 14.4 daily passengers

Funding

The following are partners for this proposal:

Bradford Regional Airport Authority

Silver Airways

Bradford Travel

Bradford Area Alliance

The Bradford Regional Airport Authority, as the legal sponsor of the application, will be 

the administrator of the program. The Airport Authority will oversee and manage the

marketing campaign and advertising through the Airport Director. The Airport Authority 

will monitor the program funds and how they are spent. The Airport Authority will also

provide monthly reports on the program and its progress.

The other partners will provide the funding necessary for the local share of the program. 

A funding breakdown for the program follows:

Funding Breakdown 

Goals Local Funds / In Kind Contribution Federal Funds Totals

Billboard 

Advertising

$24,000 $24,000 $48,000

Newspaper 

Advertising

$18,000 $18,000 $36,000

Radio Advertising $10,400 $10,400 $20,800

Establish /Market

Travel Banks

$ 7,800 $ 7,800 $15,600

Total $60,200 $60,200 $120,400

% of Total 50% 50% 100%
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Monitoring the Success of the Program

The highlights for judging the program a success include the following:

• Passenger enplanements increase

• Increased public perception and awareness of the new and improved air 

service at the Bradford Regional Airport.

• Re-capture lost passengers due to past air service issues

• Advertise and market new areas such as the southern part of New York 

State. This will be measured through the air service survey conducted by the 

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford intern.

The ultimate success of the program will be an additional 75 passenger enplanements a 

month in the first year, and 200 additional enplanements per month in the second years. 

Public perception and increased awareness will also be considered a success of the 

program. Student interns from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will conduct a 

survey of the flying public prior to the initiation of the program and again at the end of 

both the first and second year of the program to measure public awareness. 

Reports monitoring the success of the program will be submitted on a monthly basis. 

Airport Business Council

As part of the marketing campaign and a way of monitoring the success of the program, 

we will form an Aviation Business Council with representatives from the Bradford Area 

Alliance and other major corporate travelers in the region. Working with Bradford Travel, 

Silver Airways and the Council, we will review implementation of the program and 

progress on enplanements on a monthly basis.

The participation of the Council members in our program will give them ownership in the 

process and a shared commitment to the key objective of increasing enplanements. The 

business community is committed to maintaining viable commercial air service in 

Bradford. The private sector will contribute $40,000 and will participate in the 

management and monitoring of the program. 

Self-Sustaining

The goal of the program is increasing patronage of commercial air service offered at the 

Bradford Regional Airport. Changing the public’s perception of the airport and the air 

service will be a key objective of the program. Due to past air service, non-competitive 

airfares, and a poor and inadequate schedule, area residents have tended to overlook 

Bradford Regional Airport and fly from other airports. Once we can change the 

perception of the past, it is our belief that the new air service and airport can become 
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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self-sustaining, and ultimately eliminate the need for funding through the Essential Air 

Service Program.

Alternative Plan

The $120,400 of marketing funds will be utilized for the following initiatives:

• Billboard advertising through out the six (6) county regions to include the 

southern part of New York State

• Newspaper and radio advertising to promote the airports new air service and 

marketing campaign.

If a particular marketing program is deemed unsuccessful in promoting the new air 

service and increasing enplanements through an evaluation process developed by the 

Airport Business Council and analyzed by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford intern, 

the funds will be re-directed into another marketing program which has been deemed a 

success through the same process. A new funding budget will be developed and 

implemented.

Additionally, alternative marketing programs will be proposed and developed by the 

Airport Business Council and evaluated through the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford 

– Internship Program.

Alternative marketing may include, but not limited to:

1) Part-time marketing staff position through the University internship program.

2) Marketing through on site visits to area businesses and travel agencies.

Airport and Community Contact Information

Airport and Community Name

Bradford Regional Airport (BFD)

212 Airport Drive

Lewis Run, PA 16738

Contact: 

Thomas C. Frungillo, A.A.E

Airport Director

Community and Region Served: Bradford, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area of six 

(6) counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York State 

represented by the Bradford Regional Airport Authority.
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Additional Community Members

This proposal is supported by the Bradford Area Alliance, Bradford Travel and Silver 

Airways.

Project Sponsor

The Bradford Regional Airport Authority, operator of the Bradford Regional Airport, is the 

official sponsor in submitting this application.
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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ENDORSEMENT

The following individuals and organizations have endorsed this recommendation and 

offer their support:

111th Congressional District

Congressmen Glenn “GT” Thompson

Pennsylvania Senate (25th Senatorial District)

Senator Joseph Scarnati

Pennsylvania State Representative 65th District (McKean, Forest and Warren)

Representative Kathy Rapp

Pennsylvania State Representative 66th (McKean, Cameron and Potter)

Representative Martin Causer

McKean County Commissioners

Joseph DeMott, Commissioner

Al Pingie, Commissioner

Cliff Lane, Commissioner

Elk County Commissioners

Dan Freeburg, Commissioner

June Sorg, Commissioner

Janis Kemmer, Commissioner

Cameron County Commissioners

Glen Fiebig, Commissioner

H. James Thomas, Commissioner

Phil Jones, Commissioner

Warren County Commissioners

John Eggelston, Commissioner

John Bortz, Commissioner

Steven Vance, Commissioner

Bradford Regional Airport Authority

Joseph DeMott, Chairman

Ron Dankesreiter, Vice Chairman

Murray Marsh, Treasurer

Robert Huber, Board Member 

John Satterwhite, Board Member

Dan Freeburg, Board Member

Fred Fesenmyer, Board Member

Max Brady, Board Member

John Eggelston, Board Member
Bradford Regional Airport

Small Community Air Service Development Program June 2012

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Bradford Regional Airport Advisory Committee

Amy Kessler, Transportation Director, North Central Regional Planning and 

Development Commission

Ray McMahon, past Executive Director, McKean County Economic Development 

Agency

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Brian Gearhart, Director of Aviation

North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission

Eric Bridges, Executive Director

City of Bradford

Tom Riel, Mayor

City of Bradford, Office of Economic and Community Development

Sarah Andrews, Executive Director

Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce 

Ron Orris, Executive Director

Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau

Linda Devlin, Executive Director

Bradford Area Alliance

Martin M. Glesk, Executive Director

Greg Booth, President & CEO, Zippo Manufacturing

Jeannine T. Schoenecker, President & COO, American Refining Group, Inc.

Thomas R. Bromeley, President & CEO, ABC/Topline Manufacturing

Scott Rice, Chairman & President, KOA Speer Electronics Inc.

Dr. Livingston Alexander, President, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

Tim Finan, President & CEO, Bradford Regional Medical Center

Fred Fesenmyer, President, Minard Run Oil Co.

John Satterwhite, Publisher, The Bradford Era

Richard Kessel, President, Kessel Construction, Inc.

Max Brady, Regional Manager, PNC Bank

William Pantuso, Senior Vice President, Northwest Savings Bank