Photo courtesy Allegiant.

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport continues to see record-breaking traffic increases. In January, the Sarasota airport saw a 5% jump in passenger flights from the prior year. That contributed to a nearly 11% increase in total traffic over a 12-month period.

“SRQ is pleased to begin 2024 with yet another month of record-breaking achievements, as we experienced a 5% increase in total passengers over January 2023,” said Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of SRQ Airport. “Looking ahead, we anticipate a consistent growth trajectory, especially with the upcoming surge in spring break travel.”

The airport saw 395,993 total passenger flights over the course of January. By comparison, a total of 377,617 boarded or landed in Sarasota in January last year. In total, more than 4.34 million.

The growth from this January to a year prior shows a continued growth trend at the airport, though at a slower rate than the year before that. In January 2022, the airport saw 301,189 passenger flights. That’s means the air travel last month marked than a 30% increase in monthly traffic from the same month two years ago.

And the airport continues to add routes. Already this month, Allegiant announced nonstop service starting June 12 to Plattsburgh International Airport in New York, adding a 28th nonstop destination for SRQ. Piccolo noted that also provides a valuable connecting destination for many Canadian travelers.

The airline said the Sarasota market fit into its out strategy of growing presence outside large airports.

"Allegiant's unique business model, connecting small-to-medium sized cities to vacation destinations, creates accessible travel options not otherwise available in what we believe are underserved markets,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant chief revenue officer. “We know travelers enjoy the convenience of nonstop flights departing from their neighborhood airport."

SRQ airport has seen a massive increase in traffic since 2020, prompting a major expansion, including a $100-million terminal expansion adding five gates.

Photo courtesy Allegiant.