10-27-2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Port Columbus, Rickenbacker Show Signs of Market Recovery

COLUMBUS – After more than a year of declining activity, Port Columbus International Airport and Rickenbacker International Airport are showing signs of recovery.

At Port Columbus year-over-year passenger numbers increased in September, a first since March 2008. Over 15,000 more passengers traveled through Port Columbus in September as compared to the previous year, resulting in a three percent increase. A total of 517,221 passengers traveled through the airport in September compared to 502,027 in September 2008. Year-to-date 4,675,372 passengers have used Port Columbus, down 12.4 percent from 2008.

“The signs of an improving economy and rebounding aviation market are visible,” explained David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development & Communications. “Activity at Port Columbus and Rickenbacker is expected to continue stabilizing as the economy recovers.”

Port Columbus provides 151 daily departures to 32 airports. The 10 air carriers at Port Columbus include Air Canada Jazz, AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, Midwest Connect, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways and the regional affiliates associated with many of these major airlines.

At Rickenbacker International Airport over 12.7 million pounds of cargo moved through the airport in September, which equates to a 14 percent drop compared to September 2008. Year-to-date cargo numbers reflect the movement of nearly 111.6 million pounds, which is down 26 percent from the previous year.

Rickenbacker is a multi-modal cargo airport that features an impressive network of freight forwarders and cargo airlines such as FedEx, UPS, Evergreen International, Kalitta and Atlas as well as a U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone.

For additional information, visit www.ColumbusAirports.com or contact Angie Tabor, Manager of Communications, at (614) 239-4081.

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