Syracuse airport passenger traffic bounces back slightly in May

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Hancock International Airport says it drew 25,000 passengers during May, up from 8,600 in April when air travel effectively came to a halt due to the coronavirus.

However, that 25,000 passenger figure was down 90 percent from May 2019 when 230,000 passengers flew in and out of the Syracuse airport.

The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) on Wednesday said that passenger traffic at the airport is starting to rebound as COVID-19-related restrictions begin to ease across the country. It expects to see daily flights increase “significantly” starting in July.

The airport will also see the reintroduction of Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) service to Atlanta and Frontier Airlines service to Denver, SRAA added.

Airlines serving the Syracuse airport have implemented several new initiatives amid COVID-19, including social distancing on the aircraft, enhanced aircraft cleaning, and mask requirements.

The airport’s custodial staff are using a hospital-grade misting system to disinfect the terminal. They are also using UV-C (ultraviolet light) units as both upper-room fixtures, as well as air handler-mounted units. The technology “helps interrupt” the transmission of airborne infectious diseases.

Passengers will also see social-distancing signage throughout the terminal to “better inform” the traveling public of appropriate spacing practices while using the airport.

The airport has also installed sneeze guards at airline ticket counters as well as rental car counters, SRAA said.