Cory Cree, Airport Manager, John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport

In an interview with Invest:, Cory Cree, airport manager at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport , discussed infrastructure upgrades, aviation education, and emerging technologies shaping the airport’s future, such as advanced air mobility. “Advanced air mobility, whether electric aircraft, drones, or autonomous aircraft, is coming in some form, and we want to position ourselves to be prepared,” Cree said.

What changes over the past year have most impacted Johnstown–Cambria County Airport, and in what ways?

Over the past year, several significant developments have taken place. We embarked on a $6.5 million Eastside Development Project, which involves widening an access road to our Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone (KOEZ). This zone provides 130 acres of tax benefits to any new company that moves into the area. In addition to widening the access road, we are adding a 162-stall parking lot to support St. Francis University’s aviation maintenance technician school and the Nulton Aviation Flight Academy, both located at the airport.

Furthermore, we are reconstructing a hangar apron to support these programs and making security gate and fencing upgrades. This project is expected to be completed by this fall. Another exciting development is the introduction of a local restaurant, Balance Restaurant @ the Airport, which provides food options for passengers and attracts visitors to the airport, raising awareness of our services.

How does the four-year SkyWest contract through October 2029 and the $5.7 million grant for a hangar and aviation innovation center elevate the airport’s profile?

The grant you mentioned is just a portion of a larger project. We are planning to invest approximately $30 million to construct a Regional Jet (RJ) Hangar / Innovation Center, which will support overnight maintenance for SkyWest Airlines (SkyWest), operating as United Express. This facility will enhance our local economy and potentially increase flight options for passengers.

In 2026, we will begin Phase One of this project, a $10 million investment to construct the initial phase of the hangar, enabling overnight jet maintenance. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently selected SkyWest’s for another four year contrast as our EAS (Essential Air Service) provider, reinforcing our partnership. Our passenger numbers have grown significantly, from 7,500 departures in 2022 to nearly 18,000 last year, which has also increased our FAA funding eligibility. We are currently on pace to exceed last year’s passenger numbers. 

How has the doubling of departures impacted the airport’s FAA funding eligibility and broader operational capabilities?

FAA funding is structured in tiers. Airports with fewer than 10,000 annual enplanements receive $150,000 in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding, while those exceeding 10,000 receive $1 million. Our growth pushed us past this threshold, increasing our AIP funding from $150,000 to $1.3 million annually. Additionally, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), our funding rose from $295,000 to $1.4 million per year. This financial boost allows us to accelerate development projects, such as taxiway light upgrades, runway maintenance, parking lot expansions, and passenger screening area improvements.

How are you leveraging aviation education programs, such as the aircraft maintenance technical school and partnerships with SkyWest, to attract and develop local talent?

Aerium, a nonprofit organization associated with the airport, has secured six CIP codes for aviation education in Pennsylvania high schools, enabling public funding for aviation courses. Saint Francis University’s Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS), which opened in fall 2024, provides a direct career pathway for students. Graduates can interview with SkyWest for airline maintenance technician positions or join Lockheed Martin, a major employer in Johnstown’s industrial park.

For aspiring pilots, the Nulton Aviation Flight Academy offers training from private to commercial licenses, with guaranteed interviews at SkyWest for qualified candidates. 

We are also exploring advanced air mobility (AAM) and drone technology, including a groundbreaking medical drone delivery initiative in Johnstown. The Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission received a $1.9 million U.S. DOT SMART Grant to develop a drone-based medical delivery system. This program, known as Drone814, will deploy drones beyond visual line of sight to deliver emergency medical supplies. For example, if someone experiences a seizure, a 911 operator can dispatch a drone within minutes to deliver life-saving equipment before an ambulance arrives. Drone814 is the first of its kind in the United States and could expand statewide and nationally, with potential Medicare reimbursement.

What industry trends are noteworthy, and how is the airport positioning itself to navigate or capitalize on these?

On the advanced air mobility trend, we are partnering with Drone814. We are also partnering with the University of Pittsburgh on some great advancements in medicine as well as tying that in with advanced air mobility and providing other life-saving medical components for both the Department of Defense and air ambulance for rural areas. We are also working with other companies in advanced air mobility such as Horizon Aerobotics, which provides drone inspection services.

We see a lot of potential partners, though I should not say potential partners because we are already working with these companies in advanced air mobility, and we are trying to position ourselves with all these projects. For example, we have talked about the Drone814 project and flying beyond visual line of sight. One of the things that project is doing is installing sensors across the county, which helps to identify where the drone is so that it can be flown beyond visual line of sight and deconflicted with other air traffic. That is huge because you must know both where the drone is and where the aircraft are, and vice versa, to avoid any collisions. 

I mentioned the RJ Hangar / Innovation Center that we are developing. It will serve both regional jet aircraft maintenance within the hangar and innovation initiatives within the offices and conference rooms. Imagine a large rectangle where the aircraft maintenance occurs inside, and on the other three sides of the building, we will have offices and conference rooms potentially for colleges and advanced air mobility companies working in aviation innovation, design, testing, and certification. We want to be involved in all aspects of that as we move forward because we see it coming, and we do not want to ignore it. We want to embrace it and ensure a safe airspace.

Advanced air mobility, whether electric aircraft, drones, or autonomous aircraft, is coming in some form, and we want to position ourselves to be prepared. We are also talking with other advanced air mobility companies, such as Beta and others, that we would love to see here.

What challenges has the airport faced, and how are current initiatives helping you overcome them?

One of the primary challenges we have faced is maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure while simultaneously expanding to accommodate new technologies and increased demand. Our main Runway 15-33, though robust with reinforced concrete pavement at 7,004 feet by 150 feet and capable of handling nearly any aircraft, requires ongoing investment to meet modern safety and operational standards. For example, we are resurfacing the crosswind Runway 5-23 and upgrading taxiway lighting and signage to enhance navigation and reduce risks. These improvements are critical as we integrate advanced air mobility operations, such as drones and electric aircraft, into our airspace.

That being said, the momentum here is incredible. Between infrastructure upgrades, educational partnerships, and innovative programs like drone delivery, we are positioning the Johnstown Airport as a regional leader. Our collaborations with airlines, universities, and government agencies ensure sustainable growth, benefiting both passengers and the local economy. It is an exciting time for aviation in our community.

Looking ahead, what are your key goals and priorities for the airport?

We must take each opportunity step by step. We must crawl before we walk and walk before we run. Currently, we provide daily round trips to Washington D.C. (IAD) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD). The next step is building the RJ Hangar / Innovation Center to enable overnight maintenance, which will allow more aircraft at the airport, potentially leading to additional morning flights and increased passenger traffic. As demand grows, we hope to add new routes.

On the economic development side, the RJ Hangar / Innovation Center will attract businesses, supported by workforce development through Saint Francis University’s AMTS, which trains aviation mechanics. This helps us attract aircraft maintenance facilities by offering a ready workforce.

We also need to expand the passenger screening area and parking lots, which are currently near capacity. We are planning hold room expansions and airfield improvements, such as taxiway lighting, signage upgrades, and resurfacing the crosswind runway as previously mentioned.

We are hiring additional airport operations staff to manage daily operations like building maintenance, snow removal, and grass cutting. It is a team effort.

In the next two years, we aim to complete phase one of the $30 million hangar, followed by phases two and three to create a larger facility for maintenance and innovation. Each year, we will strengthen partnerships and continue to systematically grow the airport.