Wilkes-Barre Airport: A Small Hub With Big Impact

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport (IATA: AVP, ICAO: KAVP, FAA LID: AVP) is located in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania, about 7 miles (11 km) from Scranton and 8 mi (13 km) from Wilkes-Barre. The airport has one passenger terminal with 8 gates and is the fifth-largest airport in Pennsylvania by passenger count. It offers multiple parking options, including a garage and lots, with approximately 1,300 available spaces. The airport has a loyalty program called My AVP Airport Loyalty Program, which allows passengers to earn points when they park at the airport.

Location

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport (IATA: AVP, ICAO: KAVP, FAA LID: AVP) is located in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania. The airport is about 7 miles (11 km) from Scranton and 8 mi (13 km) from Wilkes-Barre, spanning the border between Luzerne County and Lackawanna County. It is owned and operated by the two counties.

The airport is accessible via the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 476) from I-81 Southbound, Exit 175, and has direct access to I-81 via Exit 178. The Luzerne County Transportation Authority provides a Microtransit Service called "LCTA CONNECTS" for added convenience.

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is the fifth-largest airport in Pennsylvania by passenger count. It offers nonstop services through American and United Airlines, with connections to favourite places abroad. The airport has one passenger terminal with eight gates. While it has no scheduled international service, it can process international flights with advance notice.

The airport has multiple parking options, with approximately 1,300 spaces available in the Garage and Lots, located close to the Terminal Building. The airport also offers a loyalty program that allows passengers to earn points when they park on-site.

Terminals and gates

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (IATA: AVP, ICAO: KAVP, FAA LID: AVP) is located in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania. The airport is about 7 miles (11 km) from Scranton and 8 miles (13 km) from Wilkes-Barre. It is owned and operated by Luzerne County and Lackawanna County, which it straddles.

The airport features a single passenger terminal with two levels. The lower level includes Gates 1 and 2, while Gates 3 through 8 are located on the upper level. This clear layout makes it easy for passengers to navigate the facility. The terminal offers a range of amenities, including dining options near Gate 1, charging stations near Gate 2, and a short walk from the security checkpoint to Gates 3–8.

The airport has a designated location for processing international flights on the lower level near Gates 1 and 2, allowing for the isolation of international passengers from domestic ones. Gates 6 and 7 are typically used for charter flights and diversions, and jets may also be parked at Gates 1 and 2 if required.

The terminal provides easy access to various services and amenities, including dining, shopping, and business facilities. The main terminal houses restaurants, cafes, and stores, while the surrounding area offers multiple parking options and convenient transportation services.

History

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (IATA: AVP, ICAO: KAVP, FAA LID: AVP) is located in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania, about 7 miles (11 km) from Scranton and 8 mi (13 km) from Wilkes-Barre. It is owned and operated by Luzerne County and Lackawanna County, with which it shares a border.

In the 1920s, cities in Northeast Pennsylvania recognised the need for an airport, and U.S. Representative Laurence Hawley Watres of Scranton, the chairman of the U.S. House subcommittee overseeing the growing commercial aviation industry, began to advocate for the project. In 1945, the two counties entered into a legal agreement to co-sponsor and operate the airport, agreeing to name it the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport, with Scranton second billing despite being the closest in mileage, due to Luzerne County having the largest population. Construction of the airport took place from 1945 to 1947, with the dedication of the airport on June 1, 1947, marking the debut commercial passenger service for the region. Colonial Airlines and American Airlines were the first airlines at AVP, with Transcontinental & Western Air (later TWA) arriving in April 1948, and All American Airways (later Allegheny Airlines) in June 1949.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport was the host of an air show between 1983 and 2000. The show was suspended due to the construction of a new terminal but returned in 2017 after a 17-year absence. The airport celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017, reflecting on its rich history of aviation in the Northeast and its contributions to the community and region. In 2024, American Airlines began offering a luxury motorcoach service to and from Philadelphia International Airport, with Breeze Airways also launching a new route to Tampa.

Transport links

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport (AVP) is located in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania, about 7 miles (11 km) from Scranton and 8 miles (13 km) from Wilkes-Barre. The airport is accessible by road, with direct access to I-81 via Exit 178, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 476) can be accessed from I-81 Southbound via Exit 175. The airport offers multiple parking options, including a garage and lots located close to the terminal building, with approximately 1,300 spaces available for all types of motor vehicles. Major credit cards are accepted for parking.

AVP has one passenger terminal with 8 gates. The airport serves about 200,000 passengers annually, with approximately 30-40 flights operating each day. The airport has no scheduled international services, but it can process international flights with advance notice. In August 2024, American Airlines introduced a service offering connecting luxury motorcoaches to/from Philadelphia International Airport. This service is ticketed and operated as an airline flight, providing a convenient option for travellers given Philadelphia's proximity to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

For those seeking a stress-free journey to or from the airport, shuttle and car services are available through providers such as J&J Transportation. These services offer convenience, safety, and timely transportation, with the added benefit of real-time flight status monitoring to accommodate any delays. Customers can also request specific vehicle types to suit their needs, and the option to earn rewards through the My AVP Airport Loyalty Program is also available for those who frequently use the airport.

Loyalty programs

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport (IATA: AVP) is located in Pittston Township, Pennsylvania, about 7 miles from Scranton and 8 miles from Wilkes-Barre. It is the fifth-largest airport in Pennsylvania by passenger count.

The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport offers a loyalty program called "My AVP Airport Loyalty Program". This rewards program allows members to earn points when they park at the airport. These points can be redeemed for free parking, airline miles, or gift cards to airport restaurants. The program is designed to elevate the airport experience and make AVP a more appealing option for travellers.

The airport offers multiple parking options, with approximately 1,300 spaces available in both the Garage and Lots located close to the Terminal Building. Major credit cards are accepted for payment, and the airport accommodates all types of motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

In addition to the loyalty program, AVP also provides various amenities to enhance the customer experience, including WiFi, pet therapy programs, craft food, and gifts. The airport is easily accessible from nearby highways, and American Airlines offers a connecting luxury motorcoach service to and from Philadelphia International Airport.

Frequently asked questions