Airport making gains after traffic slump

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is on the rebound after months of stymied travel following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Although we still have a way to go, we are beginning to stabilize from the devastating effects that the Sept. 11 events had on aviation across the nation," said Krys T. Bart, executive director of the Airport Authority of Washoe County.

Passenger traffic decreased 16.4 percent at the airport in November compared to the same month last year. But despite the low numbers, November's count represents a marked increase from September, when the airport experienced a 35 percent decline from the month before.

Year-to-date traffic is down 11.6 percent at 4,605,914 total passengers. The average airplane occupancy in November was 66.4 percent.

"Generally, the fourth quarter of the year is the slowest for our airlines, with the exception of Thanksgiving and the holiday season's peak periods," Bart said.

"Passenger loads are typically light this time of year. We hope, however, that our recent snowfall will help us end the year with a strong boost from skiers."

Security measures have also become less cumbersome, and the airport's parking garage has long since reopened for customer parking. Vehicles entering the garage are subject to a short vehicle inspection.

A decrease in air cargo at the airport was more dramatic than the drop in passenger traffic, perhaps reflecting the deeper economic problems. November saw a 23.7 percent drop in cargo from the same period last year. A total of 8.56 million pounds of cargo passed through the airport. Year-to-date, air cargo transport is down 10.8 percent from 2000.