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Passenger Count Holding Steady At St. Pete Airport

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2009

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport reported a 1 percent decline in ridership in 2008, holding mostly steady thanks to a big surge in ridership by Allegiant Air and gains in Canadian traffic.

Allegiant Air, which serves 20 destinations from the Pinellas airport, reported a 22 percent increase in ridership.

After losing USA3000 and its 40 percent local market share in August as aviation fuel prices peaked, the airport managed to regain service by the Philadelphia-based discount carrier in December with a flight to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

In addition, the airport posted a 26 percent gain in Canadian traffic in 2008. Transat Holidays resumed service last month to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

"Maintaining our passenger numbers in this climate is a strong statement about Allegiant's appeal in the marketplace and our customers' loyalty to the convenience of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport," airport director Noah Lagos said.

Overall, the airport reported 742,380 passengers in 2008.

Tribune reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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