03-30-2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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February Snow Storms Impact Monthly Airport Activity Levels

COLUMBUS – Activity levels were down during the second month of the year at Port Columbus International Airport and Rickenbacker International Airport due in large part to flights cancelled because of winter snow storms.

Statistics released at today’s meeting of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors show that in February Port Columbus had a 3.6 percent drop in passengers compared to the previous year. A total of 418,398 passengers traveled through Port Columbus in February compared to 433,938 in February 2009. Year-to-date 868,225 passengers have used Port Columbus, up 0.6 percent from 2009.

“Over 280 flights were cancelled in February which accounted for the decrease in passenger activity compared to 99 cancellations last February,” explained David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development & Communications. “Without the February winter snow storms we believe passenger numbers would have increased year-over-year.”

At Rickenbacker International Airport nearly 11.7 million pounds of cargo moved through the airport in February for a five percent decrease compared to February 2009. Year-to-date cargo numbers reflect the movement of over 23.4 million pounds, which is down 6.5 percent from the previous year.

Port Columbus provides 150 daily departures to 35 airports. The 10 air carriers at Port Columbus include Air Canada Jazz, AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, Midwest, Southwest, United, US Airways and seasonal service by USA3000. Rickenbacker is a multi-modal cargo airport that features an impressive network of freight forwarders and cargo airlines such as FedEx, UPS, Evergreen International, Kalitta and Southern Air as well as a U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone.

For additional information, visit www.ColumbusAirports.com or contact Angie Tabor, Manager of Communications, at (614) 239-4081.

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