Airport news
Airport traffic sets another record

COURTESY PHOTO Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 7.6 million passengers in 2006 and is one of the top 50 busiest U.S. airports.

Passenger totals for May 2007 at Southwest Florida International Airport increased again, making this the tenth straight month of record-breaking traffic. During the month of May, nearly 604,000 passengers traveled through the airport, marking an increase of over 5 percent compared to May 2006. Yearto date, total passengers carried exceeds 4.2 million, a significant 8 percent increase over the same period last year.

"Our airport has seen sustained growth in traffic this year and May's results are no exception," said Robert M. Ball, A.A.E., executive director of the Lee County Port Authority. "The airlines that serve the airport have kept service levels up for the summer travel period and we continue to see more passengers taking advantage of the enhanced flight schedules and the convenience and amenities of traveling through Southwest Florida International Airport."

The traffic leader for the month of May was US Airways with 85,199 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Delta (74,771), Southwest (70,320), JetBlue (57,090) and Continental Airlines (57,042).

In addition, there were 6,827 aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings) recorded, representing a 2.7 percent increase compared to May 2006. Nearly 3.5 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in May an increase of 15 percent compared to the previous month of April.

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 7.6 million passengers in 2006 and is one of the top 50 busiest U.S. airports.