05-26-2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Port Columbus, Rickenbacker Report A Decline in April Activity

COLUMBUS – Year-to-date and monthly airport statistics show a decline in activity at Port Columbus International Airport and Rickenbacker International Airport.

For the month of April, Port Columbus had a 9.5 percent drop in passengers compared to the previous year. A total of 525,223 passengers traveled through Port Columbus in April as compared to 580,193 in April 2008. Year-to-date 1,918,261 passengers have used Port Columbus, down 21.1 percent from 2008.

“The decrease in activity at Port Columbus and Rickenbacker is mainly attributable to a soft national and international economy,” explained David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development & Communications. “Like many other airports, we look forward to a return to growth when conditions allow.”

Port Columbus provides 152 daily departures to 33 airports. The 10 air carriers at Port Columbus include Air Canada Jazz, AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, Midwest Connect, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways and the regional affiliates associated with many of these major airlines.

Rickenbacker International Airport is a multi-modal cargo airport that features an impressive network of freight forwarders and cargo airlines such as FedEx, UPS, Evergreen International, Kalitta and Atlas as well as a U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone. Over 13.7 million pounds of cargo moved through Rickenbacker in April, which equates to a 22 percent drop compared to April 2008. Year-to-date cargo numbers reflect the movement of 52.6 million pounds, which is down 23 percent from the previous year.

In addition to cargo service, Rickenbacker International Airport also offers passenger flights from the charter terminal. DirectAir started twice weekly passenger service to Myrtle Beach on Saturday, May 23.

For additional information, visit www.ColumbusAirports.com or contact Angie Tabor, Manager of Communications, at (614) 239-4081.

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