TRAVEL INDUSTRY NEWS
Untitled Page
Passenger traffic at JWA continues upward trend
It's the ninth straight month of increases, which signals numbers are 'moving in the right direction,' says spokeswoman Jenny Wedge.
By Kristen SchottPublished: May 13, 2010 09:26 AM
Courtesy of FotoliaJohn Wayne Airport saw its ninth straight month of increases in passenger traffic in April. About 745,300 travelers passed through the gates last month, up 3.1 percent, compared to the same time last year.
Numbers are also up from March, when 736,100 passengers came through the airport.
"We're still not where we were in 2008," said airport spokeswoman Jenny Wedge, "but things are moving in the right direction."
She said airport officials are hopeful that passenger traffic will continue to rise this summer, with the new Air Canada service to Toronto, as well as Continental's flights to Hawaii and Maui.
Commercial aircraft operations rose 3 percent in the period, while commuter aircraft operations decreased 65.7 percent. The decline is mainly due to the fact that passengers are traveling commercial airlines more, said Wedge.
Total aircraft operations fell 2.4 percent in the period, with about 17,200 takeoffs and landings. The number reached about 17,600 in April 2009.
General aviation activity, which comprised about 60 percent of the operations over the month, was flat.
Overall, Wedge is optimistic about the numbers.
"In Orange County, we've been fortunate to see rebounds before other businesses in times of economic downturn, or major impacts to the aviation industry," she said. "Either way, more people are traveling, and that has to be a positive sign of things to come."
Related headlines
Newport Beach powers some city vehicles with compressed natural gas
OC METRO, May issue: '5 local resorts you've got to experience'
OC METRO, April issue: 'Kickin' it in Los Cabos'
|
||||
|
Courtesy of Fotolia Numbers are also up from March, when 736,100 passengers came through the airport. "We're still not where we were in 2008," said airport spokeswoman Jenny Wedge, "but things are moving in the right direction." She said airport officials are hopeful that passenger traffic will continue to rise this summer, with the new Air Canada service to Toronto, as well as Continental's flights to Hawaii and Maui. Commercial aircraft operations rose 3 percent in the period, while commuter aircraft operations decreased 65.7 percent. The decline is mainly due to the fact that passengers are traveling commercial airlines more, said Wedge. Total aircraft operations fell 2.4 percent in the period, with about 17,200 takeoffs and landings. The number reached about 17,600 in April 2009. General aviation activity, which comprised about 60 percent of the operations over the month, was flat. Overall, Wedge is optimistic about the numbers. "In Orange County, we've been fortunate to see rebounds before other businesses in times of economic downturn, or major impacts to the aviation industry," she said. "Either way, more people are traveling, and that has to be a positive sign of things to come." Related headlines Newport Beach powers some city vehicles with compressed natural gas OC METRO, May issue: '5 local resorts you've got to experience' OC METRO, April issue: 'Kickin' it in Los Cabos' |
||||
