Charlotte airport traffic rebounds

PUNTA GORDA — Discount airline Allegiant has more than made up for the decline in passengers at the Punta Gorda Airport after Direct Air left one year ago.

Allegiant carried 28,203 passengers through the Punta Gorda airport in April compared with 9,343 it carried in April 2012, according to the Charlotte County Airport Authority.

Direct Air ceased operations in March 2012 after filing for bankruptcy. Since that time, Allegiant boosted service from Punta Gorda to new destinations and based a crew and airplane there.

In March 2012, 26,630 passengers passed through the Punta Gorda airport when both airlines were operating there.