JWA Reports Decrease in Passenger Traffic in 2011

Fewer passengers traveled through John Wayne Airport last year than in 2010, according to statistics released by the airport.

JWA reports approximately 8.6 million passengers traveled through the airport in 2011, roughly 54,000 less passengers than in 2010. Last month, 697,512 passengers used the airport compared to 718,571 in December 2010.

"For December 2011 passenger travel, we attribute part of the decrease to the loss of air service by Air Canada and Virgin America from 2010 as they both offered multiple flights per day," said Jenny Wedge, JWA spokeswoman.

But the aiport did begin offering WestJet service in spring 2011 with two flights per day to Vancouver and Calgary. The Calgary service is seasonal and does not operate between October and March, but is scheduled to return in April, Wedge said.

When it comes to a decrease in passenger traffic JWA is now alone, as airports nationwide have struggled with attracting more passenger traffic. Wedge says although there was a slight decrease last year, passenger traffic at JWA has remained consistent.

"The 2011 calendar year only showed a small overall decrease in passenger travel," Wedge explained. "Whereas passenger traffic has been pretty steady for the past three years around 8.6 million annually.

In an effort to boost passenger traffic this year, the airport is now accomodating international routes and continues to work closely with the airlines.

"We will continue to do some research and speak to airlines about potential new service options at JWA," Wedge said. "Now that Terminal C is open, we have the space to accommodate another airline or two."

Wedge says JWA hopes to see growth as the airport has a passenger cap set at 10.8 million and now has additional facilities to accommodate that amount of passengers.