‘Unprecedented.’ Sarasota Bradenton airport had a year’s worth of travelers in 4 months
A record number of airline passengers are choosing Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
How many? More in the first four months of 2022 than it would normally see in a year.
“This unprecedented growth continues for our region and the airport,” Rick Piccolo, the airport’s president and CEO, said in a press release. “Nationwide, many airlines have reduced their summer schedules due to pilot shortages and rising fuel prices and we will see some of those impacts here.”
This week, the Travel and Security Administration (TSA) predicted this summer travel would officially return to levels seen in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
President and CEO of American Association of Airport Executives, Todd Hauptli said he is expecting the current record of 3.8 million for daily TSA screenings to be surpassed this summer.
“With high demand and fewer flights, people need to plan their travel this summer early while seat inventory and discount pricing are still available,” Piccolo said.
There were 386,013 passengers that traveled through SRQ in April, a 31% increase over passengers served in March 2021 as travel worldwide continues to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Passengers traveling through the airport year-to-date have totaled 1,471,513 compared to 858,231 year-to-date for 2021, an increase of 71.5%.
The newest airline to join the roster at SRQ, Breeze Airways, is scheduled to start nonstop service to Hartford, Connecticut, on June 4.
In April, airport officials offered the airport authority and public a first look at the $72 million terminal expansion planned at SRQ.
The expansion — just one of a series of actions being taken to manage growth — includes a two-story view of airport operations, five passenger gates and five places for airliners to load and off-load passengers.
The planned facility is designed to blend with the existing terminal.
Construction could start this fall with utilities work and be completed in 18 to 24 months. A planned $40 million baggage handling system installation could be completed within about a year.
Travel tips from the TSA
Tip 1: Face masks are optional, but recommended. The CDC recommends face masks for passengers aged two and older in indoor areas of public transportation and transportation hubs as an effective precaution for those who seek to avoid exposure to COVID in higher risk public spaces. CDC provides health recommendations for domestic travel during COVID-19 and for international travel on its website at CDC.gov.
Tip 2: Pack smart; start with empty bags. Airline passengers who pack for travel with empty bags are less likely to bring prohibited items through a TSA checkpoint. Technology and modifications help reduce the need for physical contact with TSA officers, but those who take time to come prepared for the TSA checkpoint are far more likely to avoid delay and physical contact. Check for prohibited items by using the “What Can I Bring?” page on TSA.gov.
Tip 3: Know before you go. Airports, like highways, have high traffic surges and construction delays. Plan to arrive at the airport in plenty of time to check in, check bags and complete security screening in time to avoid stressful sprints to the departure gate. At the TSA checkpoint, have a valid ID card readily available and follow the liquids rule of 3.4 ounces or less, with the exception of hand sanitizer, which has a temporary 12-ounce limit in carry-on baggage.
Tip 4: Contact TSA for help if there are questions or concerns. Those who are preparing to travel and may have special circumstances, considerations or general questions about airport screening can get live assistance by tweeting questions and comments to @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger, daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.
TSA also offers TSA Cares, a helpline for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances. You may submit a request for assistance by calling TSA Cares at 855-787-2227, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends/holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passengers may also use the TSA Cares form available on the TSA website which can be found at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support.
Tip 5: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck to Travel with Ease. By enrolling in TSA PreCheck, airline passengers can avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, food, laptops and light jackets at the TSA checkpoint. Most new enrollees receive their known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years. In April, 94% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than 5 minutes at the checkpoint.
This story was originally published May 12, 2022 at 6:10 PM.
