Aviation in Pennsylvania


Aviation 'in Pennsylvania' dates back over 100 years. Pennsylvania ranks 11th in the country in the number of public-use aviation facilities with 122 airports, heliports, and seaplane bases. The 122 public-use facilities provide an annual economic impact of $23.6 billion to the state. The aviation industry also supports more than 300,000 jobs making it one of the largest employment sectors in the state.
The state has multiple major international airports that connect the state and surrounding areas. Philadelphia International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport account for a majority of passenger numbers, including about three million international travelers to Europe and the Middle East.

History

Aviation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania dates back over 100 years. The state has been at the forefront of aviation development and growth. In the early 1900s, the state was home to substantial growth.

Industry beginnings

After the Wright brothers' first flight in 1903, the opportunity of flight raced across the nation. Inventors began working on designs for their own flying machines and held public air shows to show them off. Many of the state's airports were founded in the 1910s and 1920s, and the aviation industry was brought forward.

Piper Aviation

The Piper Aircraft Corporation was formed in the 1930s when William T. Piper purchased the Taylor Aircraft Company, rebranded, and relocated operations to Lock Haven. Piper Aircraft became world-renowned for its production of the J-3 Cub and as the leading producer of general aviation aircraft at the time.

WWII

During World War II, Pennsylvania was designated by the United States Army and United States Air Force as training skies for bomber and fighter pilots before deployment to Europe or Asia. These bases include Fort Indiantown Gap, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station and Harrisburg International Airport. The Air Force also built bombers throughout the state.

Modern commercial aviation

As jet travel became more popular, airline choices expanded as well. The state's airports saw record numbers during the 1960s and 1970s, especially at Philadelphia International Airport, the largest and the gateway to Europe, and Pittsburgh International Airport, a then-hub for US Airways and a primarily domestic airport with some flights to Canada and Latin America. All airports saw a dramatic rise in flights and passengers in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s; however, after the September 11th attacks, Pennsylvania's airports, much like the rest of the country, saw huge declines in passenger numbers. This caused airlines to withdraw, such as British Airways in Pittsburgh and KLM at Philadelphia's airport.

Continued growth and industry expansion

Many airports in the commonwealth have seen recent growth. In turn, facilities and infrastructure is being updated or constructed. Since 2011 the FAA along with local, state, and Federal governments allotted almost $1 billion to aviation infrastructure at the state's airports, most predominantly at Philadelphia International Airport, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and Williamsport Regional Airport.

Major airports

Major airports in Pennsylvania with over 25,000 reported passengers.
AirportCityPassengersAircraft movements
Philadelphia International AirportPhiladelphia31,444,403411,368
Pittsburgh International AirportPittsburgh8,309,754144,563
Harrisburg International AirportHarrisburg1,173,93847,289
Lehigh Valley International AirportAllentown638,00077,978
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International AirportWilkes-Barre / Scranton469,00049,863
State College Regional AirportState College379,10033,660
Arnold Palmer Regional AirportLatrobe287,00028,816
Erie International AirportErie88,953N/A
Williamsport Regional AirportWilliamsport25,11933,019
42,436,167792,896

Notable aviation companies

The following are notable aviation manufacturers, suppliers, and airlines based in Pennsylvania.

Airliner accidents within Pennsylvania

Click on the flight number for the accident page.
DateFlight NumberAirlineFatalitiesSurvivorsLocationSummary
April 7, 19361TWA122Wharton TownshipPilot error
March 25, 193715ATWA130Upper St. Clair TownshipIcing causing loss of control.
July 11, 1946513TWA51Bern TownshipIn-flight fire
June 17, 1948624United Airlines430Conyngham TownshipCrew incapacitated after activating fire extinguisher in response to false fire alarm.
April 1, 1956400TWA2214Moon TownshipMechanical failure followed by pilot error.
December 1, 1959371Allegheny Airlines251South WilliamsportCrashed into Bald Eagle Mountain in adverse weather conditions due to an instrument failure.
July 23, 1965604Allegheny Airlines040Near WilliamsportCrashed shortly after takeoff due to the pilots improper response to an engine failure.
June 23, 196740Mohawk Airlines340BlossburgMechanical failure causing; structural fire then loss of control.
December 24, 1968736Allegheny Airlines2027BradfordPilot error; a controlled flight into terrain.
January 6, 1969737Allegheny Airlines1117Lafayette TownshipPilot error; a controlled flight into terrain.
January 6, 1974317Air East125Richland TownshipFailure to maintain flying speed; Improper IFR operation; Premature descent below safe approach slope.
September 8, 1994427USAir1320Hopewell TownshipRudder hardover due to design flaw.
May 21, 2000N16EJEast Coast Aviation Services190Wilkes-BarreFuel exhaustion due to pilot error.
September 11, 200193United Airlines440Stonycreek TownshipTerrorist hijacking
April 17, 20181380Southwest Airlines1148Over Pennsylvania; landed at Philadelphia International AirportEngine failure followed by decompression.
January 31, 2025056Jet Rescue Air Ambulance80Castor Gardens, PhiladelphiaCrashed shortly after takeoff, under investigation.