Photo provided by SRQ Airport.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport’s passenger traffic set an all-time record last month, with 147,068 passengers traveling through the airport. With traffic up 42% over last summer’s, and year-to-date passenger numbers up 40%, 1,135,173 passengers have used the airport so far this year. As one of the fastest growing airports in the country, President and CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Rick Piccolo mentions an increased number of nonstop destinations and air carriers at SRQ will continue to expand. The eight airlines already servicing SRQ cater to both business and leisure travelers alike, “ranging from business class seating to basic economy with fares at ultra-low prices,” he says. 

Representing some of those discounted fares is budget airline Allegiant. Recently, the carrier announced new nonstop seasonal routes to Sarasota from eight new cities. Those cities include Des Moines, Flint, Fort Wayne, Knoxville, Louisville, Rockford, St. Louis and South Bend, and will offer fares beginning in November as low as $59. Allegiant will now service a total of 20 nonstop routes from the airport. 

“With eight new routes added just this week on Allegiant Air, SRQ now offers nonstop service to 37 destinations,” says Piccolo, in a continued effort to provide “our community and visitors convenient choices and low fares.” Whether a year-round resident, soon-to-be visitor or a business looking forward to high-seasonality, the announcement will prospectively affect traffic and tourism numbers this upcoming season.

“We’re excited to announce this major expansion in a sought-after Allegiant destination—Sarasota / Bradenton,” says Drew Wells, Allegiant vice president of planning and revenue. “This beautiful area offers so much for visitors to enjoy, and these new flights will start just in time for a warm winter getaway.”

Photo provided by SRQ Airport.