The number of passengers flying into and out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in February climbed 47 percent from February 2006 but was down slightly from January, perhaps because of the shorter month, according to data released Monday by the airport.
Last month, more than 568,888 people traveled on a flight to or from the airport, including those traveling on chartered flights, compared with about 574,056 in January and 387,171 a year ago. The less than 1 percent month-to-month decline from January to February could be tied to the fact that February had three fewer days than January. Based on daily passenger travel figures, about 1,800 more passengers traveled to and from the airport per day in February than in January.

Both the year-over-year and month-to-month increases illustrate a steady improvement in air travel from New Orleans since Katrina reduced service to the airport.

About two-thirds, or 107 of 162 pre-Katrina flights into and out of New Orleans, have returned. There is service to about 76 percent of the pre-Katrina cities. Air service will increase through June when the addition of ExpressJet service will bring the airport to 120 daily flights, or 75 percent of its pre-Katrina flights, and 13,969 seats, or 67 percent of the pre-Katrina seats. The number of cities served will also climb to 38, or 90 percent of the airport's pre-Katrina level.
Southwest Airlines carried the most passengers in February. The airline transported 144,616 travelers in and out of New Orleans, accounting for one quarter of the market. That's a more than 85 percent increase from the year before.

Southwest's gain came mostly at the expense of Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which both lost market share in the month. Continental, the first airline to return to New Orleans following Katrina and the city's number two carrier, transferred 99,029 passengers in February, up from 78,550 in the same month one year ago. Continental was followed by American Airlines, which carried 96,597, up from 57,593 in 2006 and Delta, which had 61,407 passengers, up from 59,819.
. . . . . . .

Airport passenger tally takes off
2/3 of pre-storm flights returning
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
By Jaquetta White
Business writer
Jaquetta White can be reached at jwhite@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3494.