Erie International Airport

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Erie International Airport / Tom Ridge Field (IATA: ERI, ICAO: 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.^[1]

[edit] History

Prior to the events of September 11, 2001, the airport was at its height with US Airways mainline jets offering service to many destinations, and international service to Toronto on both Canadian Airlines and US Airways.^[2][3]After 9/11, US Airways transitioned from 737s and DC-9s to regional jet service.^[4] 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.^[5] Delta Airlines discontinued service to Atlanta on 6 September 2007.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Facilities

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: 6,500 x 150 ft (1,981 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt/Concrete

[edit] Airlines and destinations

The last DC-9 to fly for US Air arriving at Erie International Airport.

• Continental Airlines
  • Continental Connection operated by CommutAir (Cleveland)
• Northwest Airlines
  • Northwest Airlink operated by Mesaba Airlines (Detroit)
  • Northwest Airlink operated by Pinnacle Airlines (Detroit)
• US Airways
  • US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin (Philadelphia)

[edit] Accidents/Incidents

• 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.^[6]
• 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.^[7]

[edit] References

• Airport Master Record (FAA Form 5010), also available as a printable form (PDF)
• Erie International Airport (official web site)

1. ^ Erie Times Article, Fastest Growing
2. ^ Canadian 737 Parked at Terminal.
3. ^ NTSB Accident Report involving a scheduled USAir flight from Toronto.
4. ^ US Airways 737 at terminal.
5. ^ Photos showing multiple airlines at airport.
6. ^ NTSB Accident Report
7. ^ NTSB Accident Report

[edit] External links

• Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation: Erie International Airport
• FAA Airport Diagram(PDF), effective 5 June 2008
• Resources for this airport:
  • AirNav airport information for KERI
  • ASN accident history for ERI
  • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
  • NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
  • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KERI
  • FAA current ERI delay information