September Passenger Counts at Detroit Metropolitan Airport Exceed Expectations

DETROIT--Nearly 24 million passengers passed through Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) in the first three quarters of calendar year 2009 according to statistics released today by the Wayne County Airport Authority’s Division of Financial Planning and Analysis. While total passenger traffic is down 11.8% for the nine-month period compared to 2008, numbers for the month of September itself are generating some cautious optimism.

September’s passenger traffic decline of 8.3% actually beat the expectations of airport management and represents the smallest month-over-month rate of decline in calendar year 2009. With the exception of July’s 9.2%, every other month this year has posted a double-digit rate of decline.

“While the rate of decline shows improvement, it is still a decline and revenue continues to be a challenge,” said CEO Lester Robinson.

While airlines world-wide continue reduce capacity, there are positive signs for the future. Last month, three airlines announced future air service from Detroit to new destinations. The most dramatic was Delta Air Lines’ announcement of non-stop service to Seoul and Hong Kong and new frequencies to Shanghai for June 2010. Southwest Airlines will resume weekly flights to Orlando this winter and has announced new, daily service to Denver coming in May 2010. USA3000 will return to Detroit this month with non-stops to Cancun, Ft. Myers and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic as well as service to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on selected days this winter.

For more detailed (and historical) statistics, see below or visit: www.metroairport.com/about/AviationStatistics.asp