Silver Airways first day of providing passenger service at the Altoona-Blair County Airport got off to a somewhat turbulent start.
 
Company officials blamed the two delays on maintenance issues – saying one if its aircraft struck a bird while flying into Johnstown, while another aircraft needed inspected following a storm. Silver Airways says it remains committed to following an on-time flight schedule.
 
The airline is hoping to build its customer base by offering reduced fares through August. And Silver Airways will reintroduce an early morning and late night flight that will accommodate the region’s business travelers.
 
The airline took over the passenger service Wednesday from Colgan Air, whose parent company filed for bankruptcy in April.