Legislation Would Change Designation of Regional Airport, YARS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson and Dave Joyce have introduced legislation that would designate the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and Youngstown Air Reserve Station a primary airport. 

“The Western Reserve Port Authority and local officials within the Mahoning Valley have been working relentlessly to maintain the airport, attract commercial airlines and support the mission of the 910th Airlift Wing,” Johnson, of Marietta, R-6th, said in a news release. “Designating YNG/YARS as a primary airport will help in achieving these goals.”

Currently, YNG is the only commercial airport in the country with an air reserve station that does not have commercial air service.

Upon losing commercial air service in 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration reduced the annual maintenance funding at the airfield. As a result, YNG faces significant and increasing challenges to maintain its infrastructure for current users, including the 910th Airlift Wing, corporate, charter and general aviation users.

“Restoring the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station’s primary airport status will help bolster economic growth, increase military readiness and fulfill critical infrastructure needs on the airbase,” Joyce, of Bainbridge Township, R-14th, said.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.