…But —seems like there’s always a ‘but’ these days —–
But one lingering effect of the recession and turmoil in the airline industry is reflected in the total number of passengers passing through PTIA and its erosion from previous years.
The previous time that the airport recorded an annual increase in boardings – 2008 – the airport welcomed 1.1 million passengers. That means total number of passengers at PTIA dropped 19 percent from 2008 to last year.
The last time that the airport recorded a larger, annual percentage gain – in 1998 – the total number of passengers that year was 1.3 million, or 31 percent more total passengers than last year, according to airport figures.
PTIA has had its number of passengers erode in recent years because of competition from nearby, larger Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. The Piedmont Triad Airport Authority has implemented an economic incentives offer to airlines to provide new service and cope with the competition.
The incentives plan includes fee waivers for airlines that offer or expand service to an airport served by PTIA.
