More new flights announced for Sarasota Bradenton airport as passengers return to the air
More airlines are announcing new nonstop service to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport as air traffic continues to improve during the COVID-19 pandemic.
JetBlue will be adding nonstop service to Newark, N.J., starting Aug. 6 . This destination, not previously served from SRQ by JetBlue, will be in addition to the nonstop service provided to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport and the seasonal service to Boston.
American Airlines announced it will add nonstop flights to New York’s LaGuardia airport starting July 11 . LaGuardia is a route not previously served by American Airlines at SRQ. American also plans to bring back service to Philadelphia in July, as well as to Dallas/Ft. Worth and Washington D.C., on July 7 .
Frontier Airlines recently announced new nonstop flights to Chicago O’Hare. This is a new destination for Frontier at SRQ. Last summer, Frontier served only one destination from SRQ. This summer they will provide nonstop service to four destinations. Cleveland and Philadelphia flights started on June 6 and Cincinnati and Chicago service will begin on July 4.
Delta Air Lines, SRQ’s largest carrier for business travelers, added a third daily flight to Atlanta on June 11 and will add a fourth daily flight beginning July 2 .
United Airlines will continue to provide service to Chicago O’Hare.
Allegiant, SRQ’s largest ultra-low-cost-carrier, will continue to provide a minimum of two times weekly service to 13 destinations.
Allegiant also plans to return service to six additional destinations in August, including Allentown, Pa.,; Nashville, Des Moines, Iowa, Flint, Mich., Fort Wayne, Ind., and Rockford, Ill.
“It is an interesting phenomenon to see how the rebound in traffic is affecting airports across the country. People from larger cities seem to prefer traveling to smaller beach town resort areas like Sarasota/Bradenton as they are ideal places to safely and easily social distance while vacationing or spending time with family,” said Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
The airport continues to exercise the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control with increased janitorial staffing, plastic shields, hand sanitizer stations, social distance markers and face covering requirements for all airport employees.
“We are excited that our public health practices combined with the increased flight choices provides an opportunity to help get our local economy get back on its feet in an expedited manner,” Piccolo said.
Prior to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, SRQ was one of the nation’s fastest-growing airports. During the downturn, the airport has moved ahead with several projects which would have been more difficult to complete during the busier times prior to the pandemic, including paving the long-term and short-term parking lots.
