January 2021 traffic slowed 18% versus December 2020

Roanoke VA., March 12, 2021 – The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport saw an 18% decrease in January 2021 traffic versus December 2020. January 2021 saw 18,999 passengers fly via ROA compared to 23,384 in December 2020, a reduction of 4,385 passengers. The airport’s loss of 4,385 passengers from December to January equates to 141 fewer passengers flying each day. A lack of business traffic, fewer students traveling and the typical winter slowdown in travel drove traffic down, compared to December.

The airport saw a decrease in January 2021 traffic of 64% on a year-over-year basis; however, nationally, traffic was off 67%.  January 2021 saw 18,999 passengers fly via ROA compared to 53,016 in January 2020, a decrease of 34,017 passengers.

“Passengers are more comfortable with the measures taken by the airports and airlines to ensure their safety,” stated David Jeavons, interim executive director of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission. “The January lull is historical and we expect to see traffic increase through the winter and into spring. Lower overall airfare has stimulated leisure demand, and as airlines rebuild their schedules, it is critical to use our current service not only to keep it but also to have more restored and help our regional economy recover. Air service will be even more important when our business customers return to the sky. We continue to appreciate the community support for choosing ROA and not driving out of the market to fly.”

The Commission works with the airlines to improve the air service that serves the region. We are open and operational if the public needs to fly and have implemented enhanced cleaning protocols, as have our airlines, to make air travel as safe as possible. The Commission sincerely thanks our customers for choosing to fly ROA.

ABOUT THE ROANOKE-BLACKSBURG REGIONAL AIRPORT

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is the primary airport for Virginia’s Blue Ridge and the New River Valley.  ROA serves over 291,000 passengers per year via four airlines (American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Air) with nonstop service to 5 (Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago-O’Hare, Philadelphia, and Washington-Dulles) hub cities as well as weekly flights to Orlando Sanford International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. To learn more, please visit www.flyroa.com. 

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