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Harrisburg International Airport

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Harrisburg International Airport
2018 aerial view of Harrisburg International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic/military
Owner/OperatorSusquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority
ServesHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
LocationLower Swatara Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1][2]
Hub forWiggins Airways[3]
Elevation AMSL310 ft (94 m)
Coordinates40°11′35″N 076°45′48″W / 40.19306°N 76.76333°W / 40.19306; -76.76333
Websitewww.FlyHIA.com
Maps
A diagram of the terminals, runways, and taxiways at MDT
FAA diagram of the airport
Map
Interactive map of Harrisburg International Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
13/31 10,001 3,048 Asphalt
Statistics (2025)
Aircraft operations53,463
Passengers1,623,324
Sources: HIA Airport[4] and the FAA[5]

Harrisburg International Airport (IATA: MDT, ICAO: KMDT, FAA LID: MDT) is a public airport in Lower Swatara Township, Pennsylvania,[1][6] United States, nine miles (14 km) southeast of Harrisburg. It is owned by the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority.[5]

The airport code MDT refers to Middletown, the city name specified on the postal address of the airport. Planes landing at MDT from the south are often routed near Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station a few miles from the airport. The airport, frequently referred to as HIA, is the primary commercial airport in South Central Pennsylvania and is the third-busiest airport in Pennsylvania for passenger enplanements and cargo shipments behind Philadelphia International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport. In terms of total yearly aircraft operations within Pennsylvania, MDT is the fifth-busiest, behind Lancaster and Lehigh Valley International, according to FAA data from 2024 and 2025.[7][8]

History

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19th century

[edit]
The airport, with Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in the background a few weeks after the 1979 accident

Harrisburg International Airport has been serving south-central Pennsylvania since the late 19th century.[9] Beginning in 1898, the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army was stationed there. This was followed by the first military airplanes landing in 1918 at what had become Olmsted Field of the fledgling U.S. Army Air Service.[citation needed]

20th century

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The Middletown Air Depot, later renamed Middletown Air Materiel Area at Olmsted, provided logistical and maintenance support of military aircraft until it closed in 1969. In 1968, airline flights moved from Capital City Airport to the former U.S. Air Force base, renamed as Olmsted State Airport. The airport was renamed Harrisburg International Airport in 1973.[10] Architect William Pereira designed the new terminals, completed in 1973.[citation needed]

From April 1969 through the completion of its May 1971 acquisition by Universal Airlines, American Flyers Airline, a supplemental air carrier, was based at Olmsted State Airport. American Flyers flew charter flights, including to Europe.[citation needed]

In the mid 1970s, the airport was a leading center for exporting cattle by air. In 1974, 33 flights departed the airport with Holstein cattle to countries such as France, Italy, Kuwait, Japan, Turkey and Uganda, on "stretch" Douglas DC-8s from airlines such as Flying Tiger, Seaboard World and Airlift International.[11]

Prior to deregulation, Harrisburg was served by Allegheny Airlines with flights to several Northeast destinations, Trans World Airlines with flights to Chicago, and Altair Airlines with commuter flights within Pennsylvania.[12]

In 1998, the Commonwealth transferred ownership to the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA). The Authority board consists of community volunteers appointed to staggered, five-year terms by the elected officials from Cumberland, Dauphin, and York counties, the cities of Harrisburg and York, and Fairview and Lower Swatara townships.[citation needed]

21st century

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A new 360,000 square-foot terminal was completed in 2004. It cost $120 million and was designed by the Sheward Partnership.[13]

As of 2008, about 1,400 people work in the system of Harrisburg International Airport.[14]

As of 2026, four airlines serve Harrisburg International Airport, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.[citation needed]

Frontier Airlines began service to Harrisburg in the late 2010's. During their time at MDT, they served Orlando, Denver, and Raleigh before the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-pandemic, the airline's sole destination from MDT was Orlando. The airline ceased all service to MDT on April 13, 2026, citing network reconstruction as the reason.[15]

Facilities and aircraft

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An Antonov An-124 Ruslan at the airport in 2007
A private Boeing 747SP at the airport in 2003

Harrisburg International Airport covers 680 acres (280 ha) at an elevation of 310 feet (94 m) above mean sea level. It has one asphalt runway, 13/31, 10,001 by 200 feet (3,048 by 61 m).[5][16]

Runway 13 has a CAT III approach allowing operations down to 600 feet (180 m) RVR (Runway Visual Range). The airport has a Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS) that allows aircraft and vehicle ground movements during reduced visibility (below 1,200 feet (370 m) RVR down to 600 feet (180 m) RVR).[citation needed]

The airfield has a 140-foot control tower and associated approach control staffed and operated by FAA air traffic controllers.[citation needed]

The terminal has 12 gates and is a pier finger layout near the middle of the airfield, almost parallel to the runway. Delta Air Lines uses A1 and A3. United Airlines uses B1 and B3. Allegiant Air uses B6. American Airlines uses B2, and C1–C3. Gate A2, B4 and B5 are currently unused.[17]

Ground transportation

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Built in 2004, and attached to the new terminal building via a climate-controlled sky bridge, the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility (MMTF) is a four-story facility that handles all ground transportation. The top three levels have 2,504 parking places for Short-Term Hourly, Daily, and Long-Term public parking. The first level accommodates all limos, taxis, hotel shuttles, public and charter buses, plus the rental car ready/return lot.[18]

In the first floor lobby area are six rental car counters, restrooms, flight and bus information displays, and a seating area. On the second floor of the lobby area, climate-controlled moving sidewalks connect to the aerial walkway to the terminal.[18]

Route 7 of the Capital Area Transit System runs to downtown Harrisburg and surrounding communities. The Middletown Amtrak Station, about 3 miles (5 km) east of the terminal, has Amtrak service via the Keystone Corridor. There had been a proposal to construct a new rail terminal adjacent to the MMTF, but the final location chosen for the new station is about 2 miles (3.2 km) east, in Middletown.[19]

Airlines and destinations

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Passenger

[edit]
AirlinesDestinations
Allegiant Air Jacksonville (FL),[20] Orlando/Sanford,[21] Punta Gorda (FL),[22] Sarasota,[23] St. Petersburg/Clearwater[24]
Seasonal: Fort Lauderdale,[25] Myrtle Beach,[26] Nashville[27]
American Airlines Charlotte,[28] Chicago–O'Hare,[29] Dallas/Fort Worth[30]
American Eagle Boston,[31] Charlotte,[32] Chicago–O'Hare,[31] Philadelphia[32]
Seasonal: Miami[33]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta[31]
Delta Connection Detroit[34]
Seasonal: Atlanta[31]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare[35]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare,[35] Washington–Dulles[31]
A Trans World Airlines (TWA) Boeing 707 in October 1981

Cargo

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Harrisburg International Airport has freight-forwarding capability. The airport is next to I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike), I-83, and I-81, allowing fast transfer of goods. Three major air cargo shippers maintain air service at the east end of the airport in an apron area next to the runway.[36]

Statistics

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Top destinations

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Busiest domestic routes from MDT (July 2025 – June 2026)[37]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 172,030 American, United
2 Charlotte, North Carolina 159,290 American
3 Atlanta, Georgia 104,700 Delta
4 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 68,180 American
5 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 55,350 American
6 Detroit, Michigan 52,300 Delta
7 Washington-Dulles, Virginia 46,820 United
8 Orlando–Sanford, Florida 43,870 Allegiant
9 St. Petersburg, Florida 26,260 Allegiant
10 Punta Gorda, Florida 24,340 Allegiant

Airline market share

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Carrier shares (July 2025 – June 2026)
Based on enplaned passengers both departing and arriving.[37]
Carrier Passengers (arriving and departing)
Allegiant
303,000(18.14%)
Piedmont
301,000(18.04%)
American
297,000(17.79%)
Delta
200,000(11.97%)
United
125,000(7.49%)
Other
443,000(26.57%)

Other consists of airlines that serve MDT including Frontier Airlines, GoJet Airlines, PSA Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Endeavor Air, CommuteAir, Republic Airways, and Envoy Air.

Total airline share (2025)
Rank Airline Share
1 American Airlines 42.6%
2 Delta Airlines 19.2%
3 Allegiant Airlines 18.9%
4 United Airlines 16.8%
5 Frontier Airlines 2.5%

Annual traffic

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Traffic by calendar year[38]
PassengersChange from previous yearCargo
(tons)
2013 1,294,632—54,344
2014 1,289,487Decrease 0.40%48,922
2015 1,173,938Decrease 8.96%51,401
2016 1,205,461Increase 2.69%52,807
2017 1,195,763Decrease 0.80%51,886
2018 1,294,765Increase 8.28%57,303
2019 1,512,585Increase 16.82%55,268
2020 633,310Decrease 58.13%55,430
2021 1,021,110Increase 61.36%63,549
2022 1,256,348Increase 23.04%57,175
2023 1,303,990Increase 3.79%53,940
2024 1,444,778Increase 10.8%48,999
2025 1,623,324Increase 12.3%53,463

Pennsylvania Air National Guard use

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Despite the closure of Olmsted AFB in 1969, the US Air Force continues an Air National Guard presence at Harrisburg[39] in the form of Harrisburg Air National Guard Station and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing (193 SOW), an Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)-gained unit flying the EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft. The 193 SOW is the sole operator of this critical aircraft asset for the entire US Air Force and in 2001 transitioned from the EC-130E to the new EC-130J variant. The wing has seen extensive federal service in recent years in support of Operations Just Cause, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.[citation needed]

A 193rd SOS Pennsylvania Air National Guard EC-130 in 1992

The Air Force Presidential Airlift Squadron uses MDT as a practice airport for a number of reasons: its runway is long enough for a loaded 747, relatively low traffic, close proximity to Andrews Air Force Base, and the presence of the Air National Guard at MDT.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Lower Swatara Township Early Intervention Program Report" (PDF). Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Economy League. April 2018. p. 2-1 (PDF p. 5/158) – via Lower Swatara Township.
  2. ↑ "Lower Swatara First Class Township Map" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Route Map". July 4, 2017. Archived from the original on February 27, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  4. ↑ "MDT Airport Statistics for 2025" (PDF). flyhia.com/airport-authority/stats. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "FAA Airport Form 5010 for MDT" (PDF). FAA. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  6. ↑ Geography Division (April 13, 2021). 2020 Census - Census Block Map: Lower Swatara township, PA (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. p. 3 (PDF p. 4/5). Retrieved November 26, 2025. Harrisburg International Arprt
  7. ↑ "Commercial Service Airports by State and Type of Carrier" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Airports Reporting All-Cargo Data for Calendar Year 2005" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Harrisburg International Airport History". Archived from the original on December 22, 2008.
  10. ↑ "National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan National Priorities List" (PDF). Federal Register. 62 (100): 28408. May 23, 1997. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Harrisburg HQ For Flying Corrals". Lancaster Intelligencer Journal. 181 (176): 24. February 13, 1975. ISSN 0889-4140.
  12. ↑ "Airlines and Aircraft Serving Harrisburg Effective April 15, 1975". www.departedflights.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ "The Sheward Partnership – Harrisburg International Airport". Archived from the original on February 12, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Airport Authority History". SARAA. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Frontier Airlines leaving Harrisburg International Airport". January 27, 2026.
  16. ↑ "MDT airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  17. ↑ FAA Airport Diagram for Harrisburg International (MDT) (PDF), effective October 1, 2026
  18. 1 2 "Multi-Modal Transportation Facility". SARAA. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
  19. ↑ "New Middletown Amtrak station site will be at Ann Street and Route 230". December 6, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Airline announces new nonstop flight, low fares from Harrisburg to Florida". February 12, 2024.
  21. ↑ Urie, Daniel (March 26, 2024). "Another nonstop route from central Pa. to the Sunshine State will launch this year". pennlive. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  22. ↑ Urie, Daniel (August 10, 2021). "Allegiant to offer non-stop flights from Harrisburg International Airport to Fort Lauderdale". pennlive. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Allegiant Airlines offering nine new nonstop flights". My Sun Coast. November 13, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  24. ↑ Urie, Daniel (October 18, 2024). "American Airlines to add seasonal nonstop flights from HIA to the Sunshine State". pennlive. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  25. ↑ Urie, Daniel (August 10, 2021). "Allegiant to offer non-stop flights from Harrisburg International Airport to Fort Lauderdale". pennlive. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  26. ↑ Rowles, Courtney (April 4, 2024). "Allegiant launches new nonstop flights to Ohio, Pennsylvania & NY from MYR". WPDE. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  27. ↑ Ruland, Sam (February 12, 2019). "Allegiant Airlines announces nonstop flights from Harrisburg to Nashville starting in June". York Daily Record. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  28. ↑ Kaplan, Seth (June 11, 2025). "Could 76-seat, two-class American Airlines jets soon be based at Harrisburg Int'l Airport?". Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Flying from Harrisburg to Chicago Has Never Been Easier". FLYHIA Blog. Harrisburg International Airport. February 4, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  30. ↑ Kaplan, Seth (January 25, 2026). "Passengers stuck at gate aboard flight from Dallas for hours; will airline face 'tarmac delay' fine?". Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 Kaplan, Seth (October 21, 2024). "Miami is Harrisburg Int'l Airport's 17th nonstop destination; is that the most ever?". Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  32. 1 2 Sisson, A. J. (November 7, 2025). "Harrisburg International Airport monitors impact of FAA flight reductions". WGAL. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  33. ↑ "American brings back Miami service at HIA". September 4, 2025.
  34. ↑ Schneider, Morgan (January 21, 2025). "Incident with plane leaves Harrisburg Airport passengers stuck for hours". WGAL. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  35. 1 2 Pashakis, Ioannis (November 22, 2022). "United Airlines debuts new, smaller regional plane at Harrisburg International". Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Cargo operations at HIA". Harrisburg International Airport. Archived from the original on February 11, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  37. 1 2 "RITA – BTS – Transtats". Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Stats". Harrisburg International Airport. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  39. ↑ Burger, T.W. (June 21, 2010). "Pennsylvania Air National Guard unit called rescuers on wings". Harrisburg Patriot News. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
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