Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (KGRR), Grand Rapids, Michigan

Ford Airport leaders say relentless winter causes dip in passenger figures

 CASCADE TOWNSHIP, MI — A relentless January winter wasn't kind to Gerald R. Ford International Airport, hindering flight schedules and lowering passenger totals for the month.

Officials announced about 157,000 passengers arrived and departed Ford Airport in January, down from about 161,800 travelers a year ago, a 2.7 percent decline. 

The January figure is also off from December 2013, when about 185,000 passengers flew in or out of the airport during its second-best year with 2.23 million passengers.

"It's weather, not just here, but weather that has occurred all over the country," Executive Director Brian Ryks said at Ford Airport's board meeting Wednesday, Feb. 26. "From the East Coast down to Atlanta, that has really affected us."

At the same time, Ryks said passenger seat capacity was up about 4.6 percent across all its flights. 

Leaders said West Michigan's largest regional airport wasn't the only one to suffer. Traffic at Capital Region International Airport‎ in Lansing was down 16.5 percent for the month and Muskegon County Airport down 24.5 percent, Ryks said.

Story and comments/reaction:    http://www.mlive.com

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