Blountville, TN—The second quarter 2009 was particularly strong for Tri-Cities Regional Airport, with passenger numbers jumping by more than 17 percent compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date figures show an increase of 8.5 percent at the end of the second quarter. Airport staff credited lower fares in the market over the spring and summer as the leading reason for the increase.

"Delta and US Airways have significantly lowered fares in the Tri-Cities market," said Melissa Thomas, TCRA director of marketing and air service development. "When you add in Allegiant Air’s every day low fares to Florida, Tri-Cities Regional Airport has been able to offer travelers some great deals this summer."

Thomas cautions that seasonal adjustments in airline schedules will affect seat availability during the late summer and fall and will likely impact the number of passengers traveling through the airport during the third quarter.

Air Cargo continued to show a sharp decline of nearly 99 percent for the quarter compared to last year due to cargo carrier DHL discontinuing US operations last December. With the exception of limited cargo carried by passenger carriers, most area cargo is now shipped by truck.

The decline in cargo landings impacted the total landed weights and aircraft movements at the Airport compared to 2008, with landed weights declining 13.8 percent and aircraft movements dropping 9 percent. However, charter, air taxi and military aircraft movements increased for the second quarter.

###