SARASOTA – If it seems like there are more people on Anna Maria Island, it’s not an illusion.
According to new information and statistics released by Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), records continue to be broken. Throughout the pandemic, SRQ has been one of the top-performing airports in America and the entire world. The growth has been unprecedented and has led to the airport adding hundreds of thousands of gallons of additional fuel storage, new security gates, a new rental car hub, additional parking and more infrastructure to handle the new flights that are being added almost every month.
Last month, 347,268 passengers traveled through the airport, compared to 119,114 passengers in December 2020. This represents an increase of 191.5% and is the highest passenger month in the airport’s history. Passengers traveling through in 2021 totaled 3,163,543. This is a 155.7% increase over 2020 and a 57% increase over the previous calendar year record of 2,010,304 passengers.
The trend of record growth is expected to continue this year. For the first four months of 2022, there are approximately 2 million airline seats available for purchase, which is a 42% increase over 2021. The airport just welcomed a new airline, Avelo, with nonstop service to New Haven, Connecticut, and in March, Allegiant will begin new nonstop service to Akron-Canton, Ohio and Appleton, Wisconsin. With the addition of Avelo and these new routes, SRQ now has 11 airlines serving 53 nonstop destinations.
Multiple projects were completed last year to accommodate the airport’s rapid growth: A major expansion of the screening checkpoint area; three new 100,000-gallon jet fuel storage tanks; expansion of the long-term parking lot; and the addition of remote parking lots. In 2022, plans include breaking ground on a new ground transportation facility; improved and expanded concessions; and a new ground-level terminal that will provide at least five additional gates for aircraft arrivals and departures.
“It is exciting to see the record-breaking numbers and the projected growth for 2022,” said Rick Piccolo, SRQ president and CEO. “As the airport and community continue to grow, we are committed to providing the infrastructure, amenities and superior level of service our customers deserve.”
