The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport saw a 21 percent increase in April 2021 traffic versus March 2021. April 2021 saw 32,398 passengers fly via ROA compared to 26,599 in March 2021, an increase of 5,799 passengers. The airport's increase of 5,799 passengers from March to April equates to 193 more passengers flying each day. Leisure travel continues to rebound, and vaccination rates are growing, which drives traffic up, compared to March.
The airport saw an increase in April 2021 traffic of 1,677 percent on a year-over-year basis; however, when compared to April 2019, traffic decreased 46 percent. April 2021 saw 32,398 passengers fly via ROA compared to 60,965 in April 2019, a decrease of 28,567 passengers from pre-pandemic traffic levels.
"Passengers are more comfortable with the measures taken by the airports and airlines to ensure their safety," stated David Jeavons, interim executive director of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission. "Lower overall airfare has stimulated leisure 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 regional economy recover. Air service will be even more important when our business customers return to the sky. We continue to appreciate the community support for choosing ROA and not driving out of the market to fly."
