Airport nears all-time high in passengers

PUNTA GORDA — Discount airline Allegiant Air pushed passenger traffic at Punta Gorda Airport up by 58% in July compared with the same month one year ago.

The airport in Charlotte County reported 85,468 people passed through in July, the second-highest month ever (the highest was in March, when the airport reported 93,171 passengers.) Allegiant is the airport's sole passenger carrier and provides nonstop jet service from Punta Gorda to 25 Northeastern and Midwestern cities.

Airport officials say the traffic increase is a clear sign the summer tourism season was busier than last year. “This level of traffic particularly in the summer is a good indication of the positive impact Punta Gorda Airport is having on our community and the region,” says Kathleen Coppola, member of the Charlotte County Airport Authority Board, in a statement.

This is the 19th month in a row the airport has seen an increase in year-over-year monthly passenger traffic. So far through July, airport passenger traffic has doubled compared with the first seven months of 2014.