SARASOTA (WSNN) – After the travel industry was hit with COVID, SRQ is reaching new heights, with record-breaking passenger traffic.
From celebrating pandemic grads …
“Our son; he’s in the Class of 2021; it was really hit hard by all this, so this is the first time they’ve really been able to do a lot,” Darin Morse from Michigan said. His wife, Heather adds, “He got to do something normal as a senior in high school.”
To soaking up the sun…
“The warm beautiful weather, the beaches,” Kentucky residents, Charlie and Mitzi Stanley said together.
To even homecomings…
“We were visiting some grandparents down here,” Indiana resident, Kailyn Feeser said.
The Suncoast became such an attractive destination, that SRQ is soaring to new heights.
“While we’re in the middle of a pandemic, this airport is setting an all-time record,” President and CEO, Rick Piccolo said.
The airport reached more than 270,000 passengers in March, breaking the 3-decade-old record of about 250,000.
“It’s wonderful to see, it’s been a long-time coming,” Piccolo said. “I think right now, you’re seeing a lot of people wanting to get away; this is a great leisure destination.”
Piccolo says adding more flights and new carriers are gives fliers more options. Southwest and Allegiant are among them.
“The addition of all services we’ve gone 2 years ago from six airlines and 12 non-stop destinations to 10 airlines and 45 non-stop destinations now,” Piccolo said.
Compared to March 2020, passenger traffic was about 80-percent higher.
“I mean it makes sense. People are just desperate to travel, Heather Morse said. Darin added, “A rebound after not traveling.”
“As you see more people getting vaccinated or if they’ve experienced COVID, and they’ve recovered and have the antibodies,” Piccolo said. “I think you’re seeing more and more of it loosening up. More states are loosening up, so more people are traveling.”
Siesta Key resident, Keith Green says he’s happy to see things going back to normal.
“It’s great to be at the airport and see the hustle and bustle again for a change,” Green said. “And people getting out and enjoying it. It’s nice to see.”
Piccolo says he expects SRQ to be the fastest-growing airport again like it was pre-pandemic.
“The percentages for April will be off the charts, simply because last April, we actually did less than 10,000 passengers for the month,” Piccolo said. “We’re now doing about 10 to 13,000 passengers a day.”
SRQ is adjusting to the larger crowds by expanding parking, the security checkpoint, and installing jet fuel storage. Piccolo says he encourages you to arrive earlier to give yourself enough time.