May 2021 traffic increased 27% versus April 2021

Roanoke VA., July 2, 2021 – The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport saw a 27% increase in May 2021 traffic versus April 2021. May 2021 saw 41,350 passengers fly via ROA compared to 32,398 in April 2021, an increase of 8,952 passengers. The airport's increase of 8,952 passengers from April to March equates to 288 more passengers flying each day. Leisure travel continues to rebound with schools dismissing for summer and graduations, which drives traffic up compared to April.

The airport saw an increase in May 2021 traffic of 547% on a year-over-year basis; however, when compared to May 2019, traffic decreased 36%.  May 2021 saw 41,350 passengers fly via ROA compared to 65,026 in May 2019, a decrease of 23,676 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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