Airport keeps setting records; September traffic up 20 percent over 2006

Nov. 1, 2007

Port Columbus continued its strong growth in September, setting a passenger record for the month and the third quarter.

The number of passengers using the airport increased 20 percent last month compared with the same period a year ago, according to data released at yesterday's airport board meeting. For the first nine months of the year, passenger totals were up 15.6 percent.

"We expect to see at least a million more passengers than last year," said Elaine Roberts, CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. She told the board that she estimates the airport will serve between 7.7 million and 7.8 million passengers this year.

The introduction of Skybus Airlines has been the biggest factor, but most of the airlines at Port Columbus have served more passengers this year. Southwest, the largest carrier at Port Columbus with a 21.7 percent share of passengers for the year to date, has carried 9.5 percent more passengers compared with a year ago. American, Continental and United also have reported increases.

Roberts also noted that JetBlue's announcement last week that it will pull out of Port Columbus effective Jan. 6 will be cushioned somewhat because the airline still must pay rent to the airport through 2009. Those payments are estimated to be about $25,000 per month.

The board also approved a $50,000 face-lift for the concessions area of the airport. Continuing the "Town Square Shops" theme that the airport created banners for earlier this year, business development chief David Whitaker said additional elements such as faux brick and lampposts will be added soon to give the shopping area in concourse B a more "Easton-like" feel.

A yearly airport study from J.D. Power & Associates has found that travelers appreciate brand-name shopping at airports and aren't particularly price-sensitive.

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