Press Room

Airport Sets Passenger Record for 2008

Friday January 16, 2009

Buffalo, NY . . . The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced today that 2008 was another record year for the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

With a passenger count of 5.5 million in 2008, the BNIA realized a 3.5 percent increase over last year’s passenger total of 5.3 and set a new record for the fifth consecutive year.

Gregory Stamm, NFTA Chairman said, “We are extremely pleased to have reached another passenger milestone during what can be described as less than stellar economic times. We are committed to serving our customers moving forward. Presently we are working on major airport enhancements and new amenities to ensure that we continue to attract passengers in record numbers for years to come.”

In part, as a result of low fare carriers Southwest, JetBlue and AirTran, the BNIA has evolved from being the second most expensive airport to use in 1996 to the 14 least expensive, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation Consumer Report.

The airport continues to be a strong regional attraction especially for Canadians. Each month, on average, approximately 33 percent of the passengers who depart from the BNIA are from Canada. “By continuing to work with our airline partners we have been able to continually add flights and new destinations that are very attractive for our customers,” Stamm said.

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