St. Pete airport posts record-breaking June, adds flight

As spring and summer heat up in Florida, so does travel tourism. The increase is reflected in the latest passenger report out of St.Pete Clearwater International airport (PIE). In June it experienced its highest volume of passengers to date: 273,056. 

This figure is a 4% increase over June in 2023. Year-to-date domestic passenger travel is up 2%, according to a statement. 

On the same day the report findings were published, PIE announced Allegiant will launch new flight service to and from Savannah, Georgia, this fall. Nonstop routes between PIE and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) will begin Nov. 15.

"The addition of new routes is a testament to the success of our existing service in these communities," says Drew Wells, Allegiant's chief revenue officer in a statement. "Our network planning team is responsive to consumer demand, constantly looking for opportunities to enhance the leisure travel experience. The new service kicks off just in time to plan warm winter getaways to sought-after coastal destinations."

Located in St. Pete, the PIE airfield was constructed in 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor to serve as a training ground for the military. After the war, Pinellas County was given the land to create a commercial airport. Thomas Jewsbury has been executive director of the 2,000 acre facility since 2015.