April 2021 traffic increased 21% versus March 2021

Roanoke VA., May 26, 2021 – The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport saw a 21% increase in April 2021 traffic versus March 2021. April 2021 saw 32,398 passengers fly via ROA compared to 26,599 in March 2021, an increase of 5,799 passengers. The airport's increase of 5,799 passengers from March to April equates to 193 more passengers flying each day. Leisure travel continues to rebound, and vaccination rates are growing, which drives traffic up, compared to March.

The airport saw an increase in April 2021 traffic of 1677% on a year-over-year basis; however, when compared to April 2019, traffic decreased 46%.  April 2021 saw 32,398 passengers fly via ROA compared to 60,965 in April 2019, a decrease of 28,567 passengers from pre-pandemic traffic levels.

"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. "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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