Passenger Traffic Down Slightly at ROA

Dec. 22, 2020

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport saw a slight decrease in November traffic of 3% versus October. November saw 25,020 passengers fly via ROA compared to 25,783 in October, a reduction of 763 passengers. The airport’s loss of 763 passengers from October to November equates to 25 fewer passengers flying each day. Since November is one day shorter than October, and many college students went home until after the first of the year, the amount of traffic is down slightly to the prior month. 

The airport saw a decrease in November traffic of 60% on a year-over-year basis; however, nationally, traffic was off 65%. November saw 25,020 passengers fly via ROA compared to 62,779 in November 2019, a decrease of 37,759 passengers. Year to date passenger traffic as of November was down 59% versus 2019, with 268,334 passengers served this year compared to 657,880 in 2019. 

“Passengers are more and more comfortable with the measures taken by the air carriers and airports to ensure their safety,” stated David Jeavons, acting executive director of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission. “We hope traffic grows throughout the winter. Lower overall airfare has stimulated demand, and as airlines rebuild their schedules, it is critical to use our current service not only to keep it but also to have more restored and help our economy grow. We continue to appreciate the support of our community, choosing ROA, and not driving out of the market to fly.”