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February 2021 traffic slowed 11% versus January 2021

Roanoke VA., April 9, 2021 – The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport saw an 11% decrease in February 2021 traffic versus January 2021. February 2021 saw 16,758 passengers fly via ROA compared to 18,999 in January 2021, a reduction of 2,241 passengers. The airport’s loss of 2,241 passengers from January to February equates to 80 fewer passengers flying each day. A lack of business traffic, the typical winter slowdown in travel, and a shorter month drove traffic down, compared to January.

The airport saw a decrease in February 2021 traffic of 66% on a year-over-year basis; however, nationally, traffic was off 66%.  February 2021 saw 16,758 passengers fly via ROA compared to 49,687 in February 2020, a decrease of 32,929 passengers.

“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. “The February lull is historical, and we expect to see traffic increase through the winter and into spring. 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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