Harrisburg International Airport
Harrisburg International Airport officials marked the local travel hub’s biggest year to-date at a county meeting on Wednesday.
According to Timothy Edwards, outgoing executive director of the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA), 2025 was “a record year” at the airport.
Edwards told the Dauphin County commissioners at their weekly meeting that 814,718 passengers boarded flights through the facility in 2025, a 12% jump from the year prior.
He added that the airport anticipates another record year for 2026. Almost 53% of the airport’s total passengers are from Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties.
“It’s amazing to see growth,” said commission Chair Justin Douglas. “This kind of growth brings more people to our region.”
What’s more, Dauphin County residents make up about 43% of the airport’s workforce.
The airport, based in Lower Swatara Township, currently has five airlines (Delta, American, United, Allegiant and Frontier) that provide service to 18 destinations, nonstop. Seven of the destinations are international gateways.
SARAA manages and oversees the operation of HIA, as well as three general aviation airports in central PA.
Edwards emphasized that SARAA’s airport system pays for itself, receiving several million dollars each year from an aviation trust fund through the Federal Aviation Administration. Essentially, passengers using the airport pay a small tax on their ticket, which goes into the fund.
“If you do not use the airport, you don’t pay for the airport,” Edwards said.
HIA is one of the “very few transportation facilities in the state” that do not require taxpayer support or any kind of subsidy, Edwards noted.
In addition to bringing travelers to the region, a flurry of hotels, fast-food places, convenience stores and gas stations have popped up around the airport in recent years as a result of its success, noted commissioners Wednesday.
“There’s not too many people that don’t enjoy Harrisburg International Airport when they come there and see the facility,” added commissioner George Hartwick.
The airport also serves as a hub for FedEx and UPS’s global air cargo networks. It processes nearly 120 million pounds of cargo each year, said Edwards.
He said that the airport plans to expand this side of the business in the coming years.
The authority is also focused on expanding airline services, he added.
Douglas encouraged airport officials to reach out to the county if they see openings for future partnerships beyond what is already in place.
“We want to ensure that we support the growth and support the economic impact in our region,” Douglas said.
At the meeting, Edwards was joined by incoming Deputy Executive Director Ryan Collins, who will take over in January 2027.
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