SRQ sets February passenger count record

Passenger count at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport maintained its torrid pace in February with 393,807 passengers, a 16% increase over the 340,465 passengers in February 2022. That represents the single highest February passenger count in the history of the airport.

The 12-month activity through February 2023 totals 3.98 million passengers, an increase of 13% over 3.52 million for the 12 months through February 2022. SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo told the Observer the airport expects to serve even more passengers during calendar year 2023.

“We think we'll hit somewhere around 4.4 to 4.5 million,” Piccolo said. “We did 3.85 (million) last year, so we're still growing like crazy. And when you think back to 2018 when we did 1.3 million, it's just incredible."

The airport recently announced two new routes. In July, Breeze Airways will add passenger service between SRQ and Providence, Rhode Island. Avelo, another discount carrier, has announced it will soon launch service between SRQ and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. 

“We continue to experience steep increases in the number of passengers utilizing our airport,” Piccolo said in a news release. “The months of March and April are the two busiest months of the year due to the influx of spring break travelers. Fortunately, airport operations have remained smooth with minimal flight delays, little to no wait times at the screening checkpoint and ample vehicle parking.”