Planning for Significant Passenger Traffic Uptick at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is experiencing a significant surge in passenger traffic during May 2023, and in response, the airport is taking proactive measures to accommodate the influx of travelers visiting the Suncoast region.
To address the growth, the airport has announced plans to construct three new parking lots, install five additional gates, and implement new security checkpoint lanes. These developments, along with other projects worth $200 million, are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
In May 2023, a total of 342,837 passengers traveled through SRQ Airport, marking a 3% increase compared to the 332,431 passengers in May 2022. Moreover, the cumulative activity over the 12 months leading up to May 2023 recorded a substantial rise, with 4,123,848 passengers—a notable 8% increase compared to the 3,820,705 passengers during the same period in the previous year.
The airport has observed an impressive 15% increase in passengers for the year-to-date, comparing the first five months of 2023 to the corresponding period in 2022.
In June, 2023 309,127 passengers traveled through the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, compared to 288,058 passengers in June of 2022. This represents an increase of 7%. The 12-month activity through June 2023 totals 4,144,917 passengers, a 9% increase compared to 3,795,854 passengers for the 12 months through June 2022. The first half of calendar year 2023 has seen a 14% increase in passenger traffic over the same period in 2022.
Rick Piccolo, the President and CEO of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, expressed optimism regarding the current and future travel trends. He stated, “As we enter the summer season, we continue to see strong travel demand at our airport. Future airline flight schedules show additional seats and flight availability through the remaining calendar year. With COVID now behind us, and passengers eager to travel, we expect our passenger counts to maintain a positive trajectory for the foreseeable future.”
Exciting news awaits travelers as well, with a new service from Sarasota to Providence, Rhode Island, set to commence on July 2nd through Breeze Airways. This addition offers more convenience and accessibility for passengers seeking to explore new destinations.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is committed to enhancing the travel experience and meeting the needs of its growing number of passengers. With ongoing expansions and improved services, SRQ Airport is poised to facilitate seamless journeys and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
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