In 2024, John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport (JMS) celebrated a modern-day record for passenger traffic, with boardings up over 80%. Despite this growth, a new market study reveals there is still untapped potential in the local area, with many residents continuing to drive two hours or more to reach airports in larger cities for flights.
The study, conducted by Texas-based consultant ArkStar, shows that approximately 530 people per day are driving to airports in Pittsburgh, Latrobe, and State College, adding up to around 193,000 potential customers annually. Many of these travelers are heading to popular destinations like Florida and Denver.
Gary Foss from ArkStar highlighted this as a key opportunity for the airport, particularly for its current United Express carrier, SkyWest Airlines, and possibly future airlines that may serve the region. Currently, the airport is capturing just under 6% of the market for air travelers who live closer to Johnstown than to other nearby airports.
Opportunity for Growth Foss sees a significant opportunity for expansion. “This is a great opportunity for us. It shows the potential that still exists,” he said, noting that the current flight offerings—direct flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport—are just the beginning.
As part of a strategic push to attract more local residents to fly from Johnstown, the airport authority paid $7,500 for the study to better understand local travel habits. By improving marketing efforts and potentially expanding service, the airport hopes to capture more of the local market share and reduce the need for residents to travel further for flights.
What’s Next? With increasing local demand and rising boardings, Johnstown’s airport has a clear path for growth. The goal is to make flying from Johnstown a more attractive option for local residents, capturing a larger portion of the 193,000 potential travelers who are currently driving long distances for flights.
