RIC Reports 8% Traffic Jump, New September Record

Richmond International Airport, VA  (October 29, 2019) – The Capital Region Airport Commission today reports that Richmond International Airport (RIC) set a new monthly passenger record as September 2019 traffic showed an 8.0 percent increase over the same period a year ago (347,267 this year vs. 321,484 in September 2018, the previous September record).

The September activity represents the 24th consecutive month of record passenger traffic at RIC.

Passenger Traffic 
In September, Delta Air Lines was the month’s market share leader with 34.1 percent of passengers, followed by American (30.0%) and United. Five airlines reported year-over-year growth in September, including Allegiant (+21.8%), Southwest (+20.8%), Delta (+15.2%), United (+10.1%), and American (+8.6%).

For the calendar year through September, RIC passenger traffic has increased 8.2 percent.

Cargo
Total cargo, measured as a sum of freight and mail, decreased 7.0 percent in September versus last year. For the calendar year to date, total cargo has increased 0.8 percent.

Operations
Total operations increased 8.7 percent, with general aviation (+34.7%), military (+28.4%), and air carrier (+0.8%) operations reporting increases over last year. For the calendar year to date, aircraft operations have increased 6.6 percent.

View the monthly aviation summary here.

Financials
In September, operating revenues totaled $4.6 million, greater than budget by $57 thousand (1%). Operating expenses for September totaled $2.3 million, less than budget by $92 thousand (4%).

For the fiscal year-to-date (the Commission’s fiscal year runs from July through June), operating revenues totaled $13.8 million, greater than budget by $348 thousand (3%). For the same period, operating expenses amounted to $6.8 million, less than budget by $230 thousand (3%).

Additional Matters
Additional items discussed at the monthly Commission meeting include:

• American Airlines will commence thrice-daily flights between Richmond and New York (JFK) on November 21st, providing new connecting options to top-tier West Coast and European destinations.
• On October 27^th, United Airlines launched service between Richmond and Chicago O’Hare utilizing its new CRJ-550 aircraft, which may be described as a 50-seat regional jet offering first class amenities. To learn more, visit united.com.
• General Contractor W.M. Schlosser Co. notes that the Concourse A Extension project achieved its “topping out” on Thursday, October 24th. Upon completion in 2020, the project will add six additional gates to Concourse A, bringing RIC’s total gate count to 28.

About Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Seven major airlines offer nonstop flights from Richmond International Airport (RIC) to major domestic destinations and connecting options to points around the world. The activities of RIC and its tenants create nearly 16,000 jobs and contribute $2.1 billion in economic activity annually to the Richmond region, according to the Virginia Department of Aviation. Annually, RIC welcomes more than four million passengers. For more information, please visit flyrichmond.com.

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Contact:
Troy M. Bell, C.M.
Director – Marketing & Air Service Development/PIO
tbell@flyrichmond.com