Photo for Headline Surfer / Passenger traffic is up at Daytona Beach International Airport as shown by the 61,062 incoming and outgoing figures, a 1 percent uptick.DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 1 percent in March compared with the same month last year, Volusia County officials said.
During March, the county-operated airport recorded 61,062 incoming and outgoing passengers. This compares to 60,406 travelers recorded in March 2012.
Rick Karl, the airport’s director, attributed the passenger traffic increase in March to higher airline passenger loads although slightly fewer seats were available last March. Delta Air Lines and U.S Airways reported 1,508 fewer seats offered this March compared to last year but passenger loads increased from 89 percent in March 2012 compared to 92 percent this March.
“Over the next several months we are anticipating traffic will continue to remain steady and stable.” Karl said, while cautioning there remains ongoing industry concern with the cost of jet fuel which spiked substantially last year, but recently decreased.
“Over the next several months we are anticipating traffic will continue to remain steady and stable.” Karl said, while cautioning there remains ongoing industry concern with the cost of jet fuel which spiked substantially last year, but recently decreased.
“Should jet fuel prices rise sharply, this will place pressure on all commercial airlines to raise fares, which could affect traffic,” he stressed.
For the 12 months ending March 31, airport passenger traffic increased 3 percent over the prior 12-month period to 582,925.