Passenger Traffic Increases at Detroit Metropolitan Airport

After 21 consecutive months of declining passenger counts, Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) has recorded a month-over-month increase in total passengers according to preliminary numbers compiled by the Wayne County Airport Authority’s Division of Financial Planning and Analysis.

Total passenger traffic for May 2010 topped May 2009 by 82,798 passengers or 3.1%.

The last month-over-month increase recorded at DTW was July 2008 when total passengers bested July 2007 by 0.5%.

“New service provided by the airlines and an improving economy are bringing more passengers to Detroit Metropolitan Airport,” said Wayne County Airport Authority’s Interim CEO Genelle Allen. “I remain optimistic that our passenger traffic will slowly continue to build momentum in the months ahead.”

There is good reason for that optimism. Airport Authority staff analysis of scheduled airline flights shows DTW up 9.1% year-over-year for July 2010 and departing seats up 5.8%. And while future airline schedule modifications are always possible, current schedules show departing flights increasing around 12% year-over-year for September and October 2010. Another analysis, conducted by the Air Transport Association comparing U.S. airline flight schedules from the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2010, ranks DTW number two in the nation for the percentage of flights added.

“This is a positive and welcome sign for Wayne County and all of southeast Michigan,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. “Consumer interest in business and leisure travel is an indicator of confidence in our economy.”

“DTW has led the nation in new long-haul routes this year with Delta Air Lines adding flights to Seoul, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Honolulu,” said Joe Cambron, the Airport Authority’s Director Air Service Development. “In January, Tokyo Haneda will become the fifth new, long-haul destination served non-stop from DTW in less than a year’s time. In addition, low-cost carrier service is growing with Spirit resuming Los Angeles and Atlantic City flights and Southwest starting Denver service and adding a second round-trip each day.”