SRQ sets record for busiest month with over 500K passengers

As predicted by airport officials, March proved to be a busy month for the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. 

The airport — yet again — set a new record. There were 514,889 passengers that traveled through SRQ, the airport’s call letters. Not only was that number 16% higher than March 2022, but it was the busiest month ever recorded in the airport’s history. 

With last month’s numbers, the airport has seen 4.04 million passengers over the past 12 months. 

“SRQ has reached a multitude of milestones this March,” Rick Piccolo, president and CEO, says in a release. “Not only can we celebrate a record half a million passengers in a single month and over 4 million passengers in the last 12 months, but also the groundbreaking of a new five-gate terminal expansion.” 

“The continuation of record-breaking numbers demonstrates the need for expansion and represents a major shift in how SRQ is transforming to serve the needs of our fast-growing community,” he adds. 

The airport now has 11 airlines offering service to 55 nonstop destinations, which is up from six airlines and 12 nonstop destinations just five years ago. The $73 million terminal expansion broke ground on March 27. 

The new terminal is connected to the east end of the ticket wing and will add 75,300 square feet to the airport. The expansion includes a four-lane security checkpoint and five boarding hold rooms with enough room for 970 seats. It's expected to be open in December 2024.