Valley congressmen want Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport to be a ‘primary’ airport again

U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, and Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, introduced new legislation to make the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport a primary airport, according to a news release.

The bill would direct the FAA to designate all airports with air reserve stations as primary airports, according to Johnson. The federal code change would help the local airport “address many of its challenges,” he said in the release.

The Vienna airport is the only airport in the country that has an air base but doesn’t also have commercial air services.

The last commercial airline to fly out of the airport was Allegiant Air, which left in August 2017, taking airport revenue with it, according to Vindicator archives.

After the loss of Allegiant Air, the Federal Aviation Administration reduced maintenance funding for airfield users, including the 910 Airlift Wing and corporate, charter and general aviation users, the release reads.

“The Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport is an economic driver here in the Mahoning Valley,” Ryan is quoted in the release. “This designation would bolster the important role it serves in our region and further protect our air base while ensuring the men and women who work and serve there have access to the infrastructure necessary to do their jobs efficiently and safely.”

Anthony Trevena, executive director of the Western Reserve Port Authority, stated in the release the bill would ensure the airport has the financial resources for long-term sustainability of its runways and infrastructure needs.

“The Western Reserve Port Authority is grateful for the efforts of Congressmen Johnson and Ryan in recognizing the vital role Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport plays as a partner in United States military readiness efforts,” Trevena said.