Latrobe airport reopens, full slate expected today

Commuter air service has resumed at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity Township, which reopened Thursday under heightened security.

The Federal Aviation Administration gave the Westmoreland County Airport Authority the OK to reopen the airport near Latrobe at 11:30 a.m.

Like most airports across the country, the county's primary airport enacted a 'lockdown' after the FAA issued a nationwide ban on all air traffic in the wake of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

That ban was lifted yesterday on a case-by-case basis and with stringent security requirements.

'As of this morning, we have met all of the FAA's requirements,' airport Manager Gabe Monzo said, adding he was 'not at liberty to discuss details' of the security measures, which are at their highest level ever.

'The only time it has come close was during the Persian Gulf War' in 1991, Monzo said.

Visitors to the airport 'will notice some differences,' he said.

One that's immediately noticeable are the large flashing signs directing motorists entering the airport from Route 981 with directions for passenger parking, and rental-car pickup and drop-off.

The signs also warn: 'No parking at main terminal.'

While you might ignore the signs, driving beyond the subsequent blockade of orange barrels that stretches from one end of the parking lot to the other isn't an option.

The vast 300-foot barrier in front of the airport's main terminal is one of the FAA's stringent requirements for all airports that reopen. Monzo said airport officials used a commercial towing service to relocate 40 to 50 automobiles that had been left in the lot.

The vehicle buffer zone also has rendered front-door drop-off out of the question for an indefinite period.

Also greeting visitors after their 300-foot stroll will be one or more of the uniformed security guards posted at the airport's front entrance - which is the only one accessible to the general public.

The limited access in the terminal building's design 'also worked out well for the emergency plan we put into action this week,' Monzo said.

'Everything went very well,' Monzo said. 'We had 143 emergency services personnel assembled here on a Tuesday morning, and that is just an amazing response. It certainly made it clear that this airport has a lot of support, and we really appreciate that.'

While the airport is now open, 'all flights are being approved on a case-by-case basis,' airport Executive Director Gene Lakin said.

'It's up to the individual airlines or pilots to file a flight plan with the FAA,' Lakin explained. 'If that gets approved, then they are free to use the airport.'

USAir Express - the county airport's sole commuter flight service - resumed flights yesterday afternoon.

Companywide yesterday, 'the main objective has been the repositioning of the aircraft,' said Sabrina Murray, a USAir Express customer service manager at the airport.

Murray explained many of the airline's planes were forced to land at airports other than their proper destinations Tuesday and 'are only now allowed to return to their domiciles.'

'And a lot of airports are still closed,' she added. 'So once the repositioning is accomplished, we will resume scheduled flights.'

Two flights departed yesterday, but both were delayed, Murray said. Today the service plans to fly its full normal schedule of seven departures.

'But that could change, too, so passengers should check their flights prior to coming to the airport,' Murray said. Contact USAirways reservations at 1-800-428-4322 or visit the firm's Web site at www.usairways.com

She also advised passengers to arrive at the local airport at least one hour prior to departure 'due to the heightened security,' she said.

Monzo said questions concerning flights should be directed to the airline, 'not to the airport.'

The county's other airport - Rostraver Airport along Route 51 - remains closed because of a 30-day, $780,000 runway rehabilitation project that began Monday.