June a growth month for PIE's air travel

The June passenger count for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is up 2.6% from June 2022, the airport says.

And year-to-date, the passenger count for 2023 is up 1.6% from 2023.

The airport set a record for passenger count in July 2022, with 278,618 passengers coming through PIE, the airport's nickname and its call letters. The airport also set a record in 2022 with 2,445,919 passengers flying from or to the destination.

June 2023's numbers augur what could be a lively July for the airport. July is usually the busiest month for the St. Pete-Clearwater airport, according to an airport spokesperson. And the airport was already growing before COVID-19 slowed down progress in 2020. For the 10 years leading up to the end of 2019, the airport saw a 192% increase in passenger traffic, according to an airport spokesperson.

PIE serves more than 60 destinations, with nonstop flights offered primarily by Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air.