October 2020 up 19% over September 2020 at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport

Roanoke VA., November 23, 2020 – The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport saw an increase in October 2020 traffic of 19% over September 2020. October 2020 saw 25,783 passengers fly via ROA compared to 21,659 in September 2020, an increase of 4,124 passengers. The airport’s gain of 4,124 passengers from September to October equates to 133 more passengers flying each day.

The airport saw a decrease in October 2020 traffic of 62% on a year-over-year basis; however, nationally, traffic was off 65%.  October 2020 saw 25,783 passengers fly via ROA compared to 69,517 in October 2019, a decrease of 43,734 passengers. Year to date passenger traffic as of October 2020 was down 59% versus 2019, with 243,314 passengers served this year compared to 595,101 in 2019. Despite traffic being down year over year, it has increased or remained flat every month since bottoming out in April.

 “We are pleased to see passenger traffic holding steady into the fall,” stated Timothy T. Bradshaw, A.A.E., executive director of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission.  “Passengers are more and more comfortable in the measures taken by the air carriers and airports to ensure their safety. We hope traffic grows through the fall and into winter. Lower overall airfare has stimulated 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 economy grow. We continue to appreciate the support of our community, choosing ROA, and not driving out of the market to fly.”

The Commission works with the airlines to maintain air service the airport has to serve 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 719,000 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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