The number of passengers traveling through SRQ in the first eight months of 2021 totaled 2,034,538, breaking the all-time calendar year record of 2,010,304 set in 1990. In the month of August, passenger traffic at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) totaled 247,900. Compared to August 2020, passenger traffic was 327% higher than the COVID-19 impacted level of 58,115 passengers. “It is amazing to see us break our annual passenger record only eight months into the calendar year. While this incredible growth has resulted in added revenues that resulted in a continued decrease in costs for our airline partners, it has created the need for a number of significant capital improvements that the airport is moving on as quickly as possible," says Rick Piccolo, President and CEO of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. 

"As one of only a few debt-free airports in the US, the increased revenue collected will allow us to continue lowering our rates and charges for the airlines serving our airport. In our proposed FY 2022 Budget that will go to our Board this month, the average cost per enplaned passenger (CPE), a measurement used by airlines to determine the cost to operate at an airport, will drop by 53%." Providing lower operating costs for the airlines that serve SRQ will not only make tbe airport more competitive, but encourages both existing and new carriers to expand air service there. "From our ongoing discussion with airlines, we are confident that SRQ will continue to grow and add additional service over the next year," states Piccolo. 

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has no taxing power and operates solely on the revenue generated by its tenants and provides an annual economic impact of over $1.3 billion to the community.  SRQ currently has 10 airlines providing nonstop service to 50 destinations.