Longtime charter flight company pulls casino trips from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

Preferred Casino LLC, the only commercial charter operator at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, stopped service on Tuesday and moved operations to Pittsburgh International Airport. Part owner John Mitchell cited a lack of available TSA agents to screen passengers as the primary reason for the repositioning.

Why did Preferred Casino LLC leave Arnold Palmer Regional Airport?

The service was pulled because no TSA agents were available to screen passengers, according to John Mitchell. Mitchell stated the decision to leave was frustrating but necessary because the company could not continue waiting for another airline to arrive.

Moe Haas, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, said the TSA has not approved the airport’s request to use an outside security service. Haas noted that since Spirit Airlines ceased operations in May, the airport has no scheduled service, and TSA does not support screening for charter-only operations.

Did You Know? Preferred Casino LLC served as a foundation for the airport for 30 years, flying two or three planes a month and carrying approximately 180 customers.

How does this affect airport operations and staffing?

The airport has laid off 25 employees and cut back on part-time positions since Spirit Airlines shut down, according to Haas. Despite these cuts, the airport remains open for flight school operations and private charter flights.

Longtime charter flight company pulls casino trips from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

The loss of charter service may impact future federal funding. Mitchell estimated that his service accounted for roughly 4,000 of the 10,000 annual passengers typically needed to qualify for FAA money.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that the loss of scheduled commercial flights creates a critical vulnerability for regional hubs. When a primary carrier like Spirit departs, the resulting lack of TSA staffing can trigger a cascade where remaining charter services become untenable, potentially hindering the airport’s ability to attract new carriers.

What is the status of the new airport terminal?

A new $20 million terminal is still scheduled to open in mid-July, moving back from the original July 1 opening date. Haas confirmed that funding for the project has been in place since 2022 and remains unaffected by the loss of Spirit Airlines.

Regarding the arrival of a new carrier, Haas stated there is “progress” in ongoing talks. The airport’s ability to return to full commercial capacity may depend on whether these negotiations result in a new airline agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Preferred Casino LLC move its flights to Pittsburgh?
According to part owner John Mitchell, the company repositioned its planes because there were no TSA agents available at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to screen passengers.

Has the funding for the new terminal been impacted?
No. Moe Haas stated that funding for the $20 million terminal has been in place since 2022 and was not affected by the loss of Spirit Airlines.

Is Arnold Palmer Regional Airport completely closed?
No. According to Moe Haas, the airport remains open for flight school operations and private charter flights.

How will the loss of local commercial charter options change travel habits for regional casino-goers?