Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has added more new flights this year than ever before in its history, adding 19 more cities in 2024 after Allegiant Airlines announced eight more flights earlier this week.
Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo said that despite stormy weather in October, which caused about 40% of traffic to be lost due to disruptions from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the airport is down less than 1% from last year’s total passenger numbers.
Piccolo, who recently announced his retirement after 30 years with SRQ, said just six years ago the airport offered travelers 12 destinations. By next spring, after all flights announced this year have gone into service, there will be 67 direct flights to various cities in the United States.
So far, 10 of the 19 destinations announced this year have launched, with many of Allegiant Air’s most recent additional flights announced this week set to launch in mid-February 2025.
Piccolo attributed the increased flights to the area’s continued popularity as a tourist destination, as well as population growth.
SRQ expects passenger growth to continue, with plans for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 14 to celebrate the construction of a new terminal. Allegiant is expected to fly the first planes from the new facility on January 15.
Piccolo noted that the Thanksgiving holiday will bring increased traffic, with this Saturday being the busiest day of the holiday season, with an estimated 22,000 travelers passing through the airport.
Piccolo said travelers should download their airline’s phone app to stay informed about the status of their flight, make sure they arrive earlier than usual (Piccolo recommended two hours before takeoff) and not leave any gifts in their luggage packaging, as airport security may be required check the inside of the packages.
These are the destinations that have been announced and the destinations that have already been put into use at SRQ this year.
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PBG (G4) Plattsburgh International Airport – Allegiant
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CAK (MX) Akron-Canton Regional Airport – Breeze
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HVN (MX) New Haven Airport – Breeze
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RIC (MX) Richmond International Airport – Breeze
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PWM (MX) Portland International Jetport Airport – Breeze
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ISP (MX) Long Island MacArthur Airport – Breeze
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RDU (MX) Raleigh – Durham International Airport – Breeze
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PSM (G4): Portsmouth International at Pease Airport – Allegiant
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LGA (AA) New York – LaGuardia Airport – American
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CVG (F9) Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport – Border
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ORD (F9) Chicago – Ohare International Airport – Border
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ALB (G4) Albany International Airport – Allegiant
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ELM (G4) Elmira/Corning Regional Airport – Allegiant
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GSP (G4) Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport – Allegiant
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TYS (G4) Knoxville – McGhee Tyson Airport– Allegiant
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LEX (G4) Lexington/Blue Grass Airport–Allegiant
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MLI (G4) Moline – Quad City International Airport – Allegiant
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OMA (G4) Omaha-Eppley Airfield Airport – Allegiant
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ROA (G4) Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Woodrum Field Airport – Allegiant
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SRQ added nearly 20 flights in 2024 as passenger growth soars
