SRQ continues hot passenger streak even through hurricane

Even with Hurricane Ian putting a stop to flights with a potential loss of 20,000 passengers, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport still had more passengers in September compared to last year. 

It was only a 1% increase over Sept. 2021, but last month 190,405 passengers traveled through the airport, which operates under the call letters SRQ. 

“Even with over 90 canceled flights due to Hurricane Ian, totaling an estimated loss of over 20,000 passengers, SRQ still experienced an increase in passengers for September over the prior year,” Rick Piccolo, airport president and CEO, says in a release.  

This year so far has been unmatched in terms of passenger volume. The year-to-date totals over 2.8 million, which is a 26% increase over last year at this time. Additionally, over the 12-month period that ended in September 2022, SRQ had more than 3.75 million passengers. That’s a 47% increase over the more than 2.55 million passengers who traveled in the 12 months leading up to September 2021. 

“Our seasonal service is beginning to return, and we are noticing much higher passenger load factors than last year,” Piccolo says. “With one new route and 11 returning routes starting next month, we expect to continue to break passenger records as we begin the peak season.” 

The airport’s newest service to White Plains, New York, through Breeze Airways is scheduled to begin Nov. 2.