WARWICK – Passenger traffic at T.F. Green Airport fell 6.9 percent in February compared with the same period last year, due mostly to inclement winter weather, the R.I. Airport Corporation said Monday.
Last month 232,370 total passengers used the state-owned airport compared with 249,608 in February 2013, according to RIAC. It was the second consecutive month that year-over-year traffic fell at T.F. Green after gains in 2013.
RIAC spokeswoman Rebecca Pazienza said storms in New England and other parts of the country have driven weaker passenger numbers so far this winter.
“We are seeing what we are seeing last month with the airlines having reduced seasonal capacity combined with weather-related cancellations,” Pazienza said about the February totals.
All of the major airlines saw year-over-year passenger declines in February, with although U.S. Airways gained 37 passengers including its commuter affiliates were included.
Southwest Airlines, the carrier with the largest presence at T.F. Green, saw year-over-year passenger traffic decline 11 percent last month to 107,642.
While passenger traffic declined, cargo shipments in and out of the airport rose 1.9 percent last month, or 34,868 pounds, to 1.8 million pounds compared with February 2013.
Year to date, passenger traffic has declined 5.8 percent, according to RIAC, while cargo volume has increased 6.4 percent.
Southwest is missing its nonstop Denver Service and their Winter peak Ft Myers and West Palm Beach flights did not start until part way through FEB. United’s schedule continues to be anorexic at PVD and similar medium cities. Still waiting for JetBlue to put its other foot in the door as well.