PITTSTON — The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport’s $14.3 million expansion project got a shot in the arm on Monday when U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has delivered $3 million to construct a mother’s room, children’s play area, a sensory room, and an expanded security lane to better accommodate traveling families.

“This administration is focused on making travel happier and more convenient for American families,” Duffy said in a news release. “The Golden Age of Travel includes a Family First agenda. We’re making airports inviting spaces for parents and children to relax and recharge prior to boarding.”

Steve Mykulyn, interim executive director at the airport, said the project, scheduled to begin in September, will be nearly fully funded by government grants and will take a year to a year and a half to complete.

According to Mykulyn, the project will add 10,000 square feet to the airport terminal, creating additional space for passengers, staff, the TSA area, and a pet relief room.

“This is new money, and it will allow us to do more for our passengers,” Mykulyn said.

At last month’s meeting of the Bi-County Airport Board, Mykulyn said the Federal Aviation Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation aviation division will provide most of the funding. He said a small portion of the project cost will be derived from a fee on passengers’ tickets.

“The FAA is moving quickly to get these investments out the door and into airports nationwide,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford in the news release. “These projects will help create a more welcoming and accessible travel experience for families while demonstrating our commitment to improving America’s airports at record speed.”

In total, officials said the Department of Transportation invested $970 million in 133 airports across 45 states through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – Airport Terminal Program (ATP) to enhance the travel experience for families.

Additional information

In December 2025, Duffy encouraged airports across the nation to present projects to the FAA that support more family-friendly resources at airports, including:

• Creating more children’s play areas or exercise areas

• Adding mothers’ rooms or nursing pods

• Re-configuring security checkpoints to create family screening lanes

• Building sensory rooms for children with special needs

• Other creative terminal projects that focus on enhancing the family travel journey

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.