AVL Reports Largest Month-Over-Month Increase Since Sep. 2005

The Asheville Regional Airport Authority reported its largest month-over-month passenger traffic increase in more than four years. The month of March registered a 19.2% increase in enplanements over March, 2009, resulting in more than 4,000 additional passengers.

The last increase of this proportion was September, 2005, when growth of 23.5% was reported. April of 2009 came close with a 17.8% jump.

Factors influencing the boost include the acquisition of two new air carriers, AirTran Airways and United Airlines, and three new destinations, Chicago, New York, and Orlando, during that time period.

“Competition among airlines is great for passengers—new carriers and routes mean more competition and, oftentimes, reduced ticket prices,” says Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Airport Director. “Lower fares certainly play a part in higher traffic, but the fact that we’ve added new destinations also makes air travel more appealing.”

This announcement comes on the heels of a recent AVL report touting a 4.1% increase in 2009 over the 2008 passenger traffic figures.

“When people begin to travel more, it is often an indicator of an improving economy,” adds Bleiweis. “Of course this is great news for the airport, but we’re also really excited about what it means for Western North Carolina as a whole.”