September marked the sixth straight month the Wilmington International Airport saw fewer passengers compared with last year.
The airport ushered 69,036 passengers in and out of its doors last month compared to 73,072 in September 2010. That's a 5.5 percent drop.
So far, the total number of passengers are down about 2 percent this year. But last year, the airport saw a record number of passengers.
"When you look at the statistics, you can't deny that it appears to be trending downward ever so slightly," said Airport Director Jon Rosborough. "I think we're starting to see the economy hitting us a little bit."
Other factors also contributed to the declining figures.
In August, passenger numbers plummeted partially due to the cancellation of 45 commercial flights, many due to the approach of Hurricane Irene.
Allegiant Air only flew a single day in September, which could represent at least 1,000 seats, Rosborough said. The airline pulled its planes for maintenance and staff training.
"They focus on tourists," he said. "The leisure traveler does not do much flying right after schools are in session."
Because of economic hardships, small and medium-sized businesses may have cut air travel back where they can, Rosborough said. But the airport has been more fortunate than some others.
"Many airports our size are having a greater percentage fall or drop back," he said. "We've been fortunate and that has to do with our passenger mix."
More than 71 percent of the airport's passengers are business travelers, such as employees of PPD, which is headquartered in downtown Wilmington.
"They're our best customers," Rosborough said.
People traveling for fun can be good customers, but airports can't count on them like they can business travelers.
"If you've got to be in New York tomorrow, you're not driving," Rosborough said.
While the overall passenger numbers may be down, some regular airport customers have not noticed much of a difference.
On Wednesday, as he waited for his flight to New York in the airport bar, Craig Wigley said he has not noticed many empty seats.
Wigley, the owner of H.S.M. Machine Works, has a shop in Leland and travels regularly back and forth from North Carolina to New York, where his company is headquartered.
The direct flights to LaGuardia are usually packed anyway, he said.
"I know some other people in town who use that almost like a commuter," he said.
Meanwhile, outside the airport, taxis lined up to pick up travelers leaving the airport.
Richard Sirianni, the owner of The Transporter, has not noticed a drop in passengers either.
"My September was as busy as any of my summer months," Sirianni said. But it took time to build the business up, and his strategy is to provide good service and rely on repeat customers.
"We cater to regular clientele," he said. "I think that's how you weather the storms."
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