DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 15 percent in August compared with the same month last year.
During August, 45,951 passengers arrived and departed through Daytona Beach International Airport, compared to 39,857 passengers last August.
For the 12 months ending July 31, 538,294 passengers traveled through the county-operated airport, a 16 percent increase over the prior 12 months. The increase in August follows an upward trend that began in November 2009.
Since then, traffic has increased in 21 of the last 22 months.
“We are very pleased with the continued growth in passenger traffic and remain optimistic the current upward trend will continue,” said Rick Karl, the airport’s director.
Karl attributed the trend of increased passenger traffic to the use of larger capacity aircraft, greater passenger loads and competitive fares offered by Delta Air Lines and U.S Airways, the airport’s principal commercial carriers.
Another recent positive factor for commercial aviation is the ongoing moderation of fuel prices. Looking to the future, Karl said the airport staff has continues to communicate with existing air carriers and others to seek new nonstop service opportunities for the region.