MONTOURSVILLE -- Some airports in northeastern and central Pennsylvania are getting state money for improvements.
Hazleton Regional Airport received a $300,000 grant. Officials plan to use the money to buy and upgrade hangers, including one used by Lehigh Valley's Medevac helicopter.
Millions of dollars are also going to Williamsport Regional Airport. The airport in Montoursville received a $5 million state grant to help build a new terminal.
Some flyers we spoke with say they are excited for changes that could help them feel more comfortable when traveling.
With bags checked and carry-ons in tow, travelers waited in the terminal at Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville.
"Waiting and ready to see my family," said Josh Clark who works in Williamsport, but lives in Idaho.
It's the first time he's booked a flight out of the Williamsport airport.
"I was surprised how small it was and you're just here, but that's cool," he said.
"The heating system is old and so is the air conditioning. It's just an old building," said executive director Thomas Hart.
Hart tells Newswatch 16 there are three flights out of the airport each day. The planes can get packed and so can the terminal.
"Very open, user friendly, high ceilings," said Hart as he showed us the rough draft for a new terminal.
This week, Williamsport Regional Airport received a $5 million state grant to help cover the cost of a new $15 million terminal. The current one was built not long after World War II.
"The new building will be constructed and this building will be demolished."
Terminal workers say the only coffee shop closed down nearly a year ago. Flyers hope with this new building will be a boost in business.
"We hopefully can attract another carrier or two in here so we can have some more options," said Williamsport resident Ed Alberts.
"If you have to spend time here, you would like it a little nicer," said Deborah Briel.
Briel lives in Cogan Station and flies out of Williamsport when she visits family.
"Any improvement they can make in the airport will put a smile on my face because I prefer flying out of Williamsport."
The airport plans to begin construction on the new terminal about a year from now. The project is expected to be finished by the spring of 2017.
