Passenger traffic at Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport experienced a notable decrease in October, despite an upward trend for the year. The decline coincides with disruptions caused by Hurricane Milton, emphasizing how natural events can impact airport operations and passenger flow.
In October, the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers reported a significant decrease in passenger traffic, with more than 657,000 travelers passing through, marking an 11% drop compared to the same month last year. This decline was largely due to the temporary closure of the airport following Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida on October 9. Consequently, the airport halted operations for two days, resuming on October 11.
Despite this setback, the Lee County Port Authority reveals that passenger traffic has increased by 12% for the year to date, showcasing a resilient travel sector. Airlines navigated these challenges, with Delta leading in passenger numbers, accommodating 150,087 travelers. Other notable airlines included Southwest with 119,021, American with 98,389, United with 96,607, and JetBlue with 71,747 passengers.
In addition to passenger traffic, airport operations, including takeoffs and landings, saw a 15% rise compared to the previous year, reaching 7,529 operations for the month of October. This indicates a recovery in flight activity despite the temporary disruptions. Meanwhile, Page Field, another regional airport, experienced a 27% decrease in operations relative to last year, with 12,261 takeoffs and landings reported.
In 2023, Southwest Florida International Airport served over 10 million passengers, positioning it among the top 50 airports in the United States for passenger traffic. A notable aspect of the airport’s operations is its lack of reliance on ad valorem (property) taxes for funding, which underscores its financial autonomy and resourcefulness.
The dip in October’s passenger traffic at Fort Myers’ airport reflects the challenges posed by unforeseen natural events like Hurricane Milton. Nevertheless, the overall growth in yearly traffic highlights the region’s robust air travel industry and its ability to adapt and recover from temporary setbacks.
Source: Businessobserverfl
