Airport's passenger traffic increases to 69% of 2019 levels

SARASOTA — For October, passenger traffic at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport climbed to 69% of the 2019 level. That's up from September, when the traffic level was at 53% of 2019, and both July and August, when the levels were at 43% of 2019, according to a press release. 

“We continue to see our airport rebounding much faster than other airports across the country," says Sarasota Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo in the statement. "Our October passenger level was just shy of where it was in 2018 and each month we continue to see our passenger levels climb."

 Passengers totaled 110,883 for October compared to 160,327 passengers in October 2019, the release states. Year-to-date figures show airport passenger traffic is down 35% compared to 2019, with 1,011,677 passengers using the airport so far this year.

November brings additional air service with JetBlue Airways starting new nonstop service to Newark, N.J. Allegiant Air is starting new nonstop service to Boston and returning seasonal service to Louisville, Ky., and South Bend, Ind. Delta Air Lines will return service to New York, N.Y. Sun Country Airlines returns seasonal service to Minneapolis, Minn.   

SRQ has plastic shields at all customer service counters, touchless hand sanitizer stations, social distancing markers in queuing lines, thermal temperature scanners and increased janitorial staff to clean high-touch surfaces. Employees, tenants and passengers wear protective face coverings.

SRQ has eight airlines providing nonstop service to 36 destinations.