CQ Air Update

The Web site for CQ Air, a startup airline that says it plans to offer service at Harrisburg International Airport, hints that the airline will let "the secret out" in a few weeks.
CQ Air Chairman Roger Sedlak did not respond to requests to comment. But statements from officials with federal regulatory agencies suggest that CQ Air has a way to go before it can begin flight service at HIA.

CQ Air's interest in HIA became public after a letter of support from Mike Adams, CQ's senior project manager, was included in a grant application for federal funding submitted by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. The application refers to service proposed by CQ Air that would include two flights daily with regional jets and turboprop aircraft. The service would start this summer and run through 2007.

According to the application, CQ Air seeks $100,000, including $75,000 from the FAA and $12,500 each from Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. "CQ Airlines is pleased to offer this letter in support of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport's Small Community Air Development Grant application for nonstop Harrisburg service on CQ Airlines, and the addition of other Intra and Interstate markets," Adams wrote in the April 6 letter. "The funding of this application will almost guarantee our implementation of low-cost service in this market and the access through our new proposed hub in MDT." MDT is the airport code for Harrisburg International Airport.

CQ Air had set June 5 as the date to announce its service, but the announcement was postponed. Adams told The Patriot-News that CQ Air still plans to offer service in Harrisburg, but he would not say when. CQ Air is renting space at HIA for its headquarters, HIA Aviation Director Fred Testa said. He said HIA and CQ Air do not have any other agreements, such as a lease for an airport gate. "This is a startup. It may take as much as a year," Testa said.
Nor does CQ Air have lease agreements at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, according to Airport Director Barry J. Centini.