Airport traffic up over 2020 — but down from 2019

CLEARWATER — Passenger traffic at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport fell 9.7% in August when compared with 2019, though it was 63% higher than when compared with last year.

In all 161,355 people travelled through the airport in August.

August was the first time month-to-month passenger traffic fell when compared with 2019 since May, returning the airport to a pattern it's seen most of the year: big gains when comparing traffic side-by-side with the months when the pandemic was in full force and slight decreases when comparing with 2019.

Year to date, traffic is up 43% over 2020.

August’s results follow a record month in July when 262,681 passengers came through the airport, the most ever for an airport that traces its roots back to World War II.

The August slowdown in traffic raises the question of whether tourism is being affected by the Delta variant of the COVID-19 or if this is just a natural slow down as the summer break neared an end.

Whatever the cause, tourism has been booming in Pinellas County this year, especially during the summer months.