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The number of passengers flying in and out of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in March grew by more than 19 percent over the same month last year, thanks mostly to a fast start by JetBlue, with United and Delta adding seats in response.
March departures are the most in a single month since 2008, according to numbers released last week by the Savannah Airport Commission.
With additional Delta seats to New York’s JFK International, a full month of JetBlue flights to JFK and Boston’s Logan International Airport and United seats up 7 percent, total available seats were up 13 percent.
That was still below the growth in passenger numbers, increasing load factors — the percentage of available seats filled — to nearly 83 percent.
The airport served more than 172,000 passengers in March compared to 144,000 in the same month a year ago.
JetBlue accounted for nearly 18,000 passengers in its first full month of operation at Savannah/Hilton Head International.
“We are pleased with the increase in passenger traffic we’re seeing as a result of JetBlue’s new service, as well as the increased capacity from Delta, United and American/US Airways,” said Greg Kelly, airport executive director.
“The numbers are somewhat stronger than we expected, which is a very good sign. The combination of increased capacity, lower fares and strong marketing efforts by VisitSavannah and the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce are producing excellent results,” he added.
“The momentum is on our side, and we are working hard to build on that. We expect to see at least 10-percent passenger growth by the end of the year.”
With the increase in traffic in and out of Savannah/Hilton Head International, it’s a good time to remind passengers to arrive 90 minutes before a scheduled flight, said Lori Lynah, director of marketing and air service development for the airport.
“We want to make sure they allow enough time to check in and get through the security checkpoint without risking a missed flight,” Lynah said.
BY THE NUMBERS
March 2013 March 2014 Change
Arrivals 72,335 86,113 Up 19 percent Departures 71,867 85,915 Up 19.5 percent
Available seats 91,538 103,881 Up 13.5 percent
Total passengers 144,202 172,028 Up 19.3 percent
Load factor 78.5 percent 82.7 percent Up 4 percent
