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It took 17 years, but an air show is finally returning to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Luzerne County Councilman Rick Williams said Tuesday.

Williams didn’t know all the details of the air show and referred a Times Leader reporter to Airport Director Carl Beardsley, who is out of the office until Thursday.

“I would imagine the announcement would come as part of the meeting,” Williams said of the Bi-County Airport Board session set for 10 a.m. Thursday.

But that will probably be just a formality.

According to the International Council of Air Shows, there is a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Air Show scheduled for Aug. 12 and 13. The shows will include the U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights.

The Times Leader reported in 2000 the air show was to take two years off while the airport in Pittston Township was renovated.

Later that year, reports said the planned renovations to the airport would leave no room for the air show. Then-airport director Barry Centini said the air show would continue only if the airport did not receive enough funding to complete a $57.6 million reconstruction.

During this summer’s two-day event, individuals will be able to tour fighter jets, helicopters, classic warplanes and airliners, giant cargo transports, and numerous military and civilian exhibits and displays.

In previous years, the airport had remained open for commercial flights.

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Visitors to the Armed Forces Air Show at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport in 2000 check out the massive military transport plane the C-5A Galaxy on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_air_show4-1.jpeg.optimal.jpegVisitors to the Armed Forces Air Show at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport in 2000 check out the massive military transport plane the C-5A Galaxy on Saturday. Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader
High-flying fun set for August

By Melanie Mizenko

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Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko