Thu, Dec 23, 2004
SWFI PAX Traffic Exceeds 6 Million
With one month to go, this year
already has already proven to be the busiest in the history of
Southwest Florida International Airport. With a record-breaking
November of nearly 586,000 passengers, passenger traffic
year-to-date has exceeded 6 million passengers, making 2004 the
first year the airport has reached this milestone. Passenger
traffic for November increased by 16 percent, and the year-to-date
total reflects a 14 percent jump.
Not bad for an airport that serves a relatively small market --
Fort Myers/Naples, FL.
Nationwide, passenger traffic increased by 7.5 percent for the
month and 5.9 percent year to date, according to the Air Transport
Association.
"These numbers reconfirm the need for the new terminal, which is
set to open next year," said Robert M. Ball, executive director of
the Lee County Port Authority. "The current terminal was designed
for 3 million annual passengers and was retrofitted with new
security-screening equipment, so it’s easy to see why
we’re feeling congested. Everyone will enjoy the additional
space in the new terminal."
The new terminal will open with 28 gates on three concourses;
the current facility has 17 gates on two concourses.
Air freight also increased at the airport during November, up
7.6 percent for the month and 6.5 percent year to date. A total of
29.7 million pounds of air freight were moved through the airport
during the first 11 months of the year.
Why the growth spurt? Airport executives say southwest Florida
is the fastest-growing region of the nation's third fastest-growing
state. At this point, they don't see the phenomenal growth slowing
any time soon.
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