Report: COVID pandemic plays significant role in decrease of total passenger travel through Tri-Cities Airport in 2020

New data from the Tri-Cities Airport has revealed the effects the pandemic has had on the region’s air travel.

In 2020, just over 200,000 passengers flew through the Tri-Cities Airport, a 55% decrease in passenger traffic from 2019. Total commercial flights reduced to around 6,100 and average daily outbound flights also dropped to nine last year. Below is the 2020 vs 2019 comparison:

*Total Passengers- (2020)- 200,413/(2019)- 448,130/Decrease (-55%)
*Total Commercial Flights- (2020)- 6,162/(2019)- 8,814/Decrease (-30%)
*Average Daily Seats- (2020)- 845/(2019)- 1,552/Decrease (-46%)
*Average Daily Outbound Flights– (2020) 9/(2019)- 12/Decrease (-25%)

Tri-Cities Airport spokesperson Kristi Haulsee tells us if not for the pandemic, the airport likely would’ve surpassed 500,000 total passengers for the year, which would’ve smashed the current total passenger record of 479,055, set back in 1979.

Haulsee told us back in January that they are expecting a resurgence in air travel possibly in the second half of 2021 as more people become vaccinated against COVID-19.

Photo Courtesy: Tri-Cities Airport