Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has announced nearly 20 new

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has added more new flights this year than at anytime in its history, with 19 additional cities in 2024 after eight more flights were announced by Allegiant Airlines earlier this week.

Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo said despite stormy weather in October causing about 40% of traffic being lost to disruptions from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the airport is less than 1% off last year’s total passenger figures for the year.

Piccolo, who recently announced he will be retiring after 30 years at SRQ, said that just six years ago, the airport offered travelers 12 destinations. By next spring, after all the flights announced this year have begun operation, there will be 67 direct flights to different cities across the United States.

So far, 10 of the 19 destinations announced this year have started, with many of the most recent additional flights announced this week from Allegiant Air beginning operation in mid-February 2025.

Piccolo attributed the increased flights to continued popularity of the area as a tourist destination, as well as population growth.

SRQ expects its passenger growth to continue, with plans for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 14 to celebrate construction of a new terminal. Allegiant is expect to fly the first planes from the new facility Jan. 15.

Piccolo noted the Thanksgiving holiday will see increased traffic with this Saturday being the busiest day of the holiday season, with an estimated 22,000 travelers are expected to pass through the airport.

Piccolo said travelers should download their airline’s phone app to stay updated about their flight’s status, make sure to arrive earlier than usual — Piccolo recommended two hours before takeoff — and don’t wrap any gifts in your luggage, as airport security may be required to check inside packages.

Here are the destinations that have been announced and those that have already begun service at SRQ this year.

PBG (G4) Plattsburgh International Airport – Allegiant
CAK (MX) Akron-Canton Regional Airport- Breeze
HVN (MX) New Haven Airport- Breeze
RIC (MX) Richmond International Airport- Breeze
PWM (MX) Portland International Jetport Airport- Breeze
ISP (MX) Long Island MacArthur Airport- Breeze
RDU (MX) Raleigh – Durham International Airport- Breeze
PSM (G4): Portsmouth International at Pease Airport– Allegiant
LGA (AA) New York – LaGuardia Airport- American
CVG (F9) Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport- Frontier
ORD (F9) Chicago – Ohare International Airport- Frontier
ALB (G4) Albany International Airport– Allegiant
ELM (G4) Elmira/Corning Regional Airport– Allegiant
GSP (G4) Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport– Allegiant
TYS (G4) Knoxville – McGhee Tyson Airport– Allegiant
LEX (G4) Lexington/Blue Grass Airport– Allegiant
MLI (G4) Moline – Quad City International Airport– Allegiant
OMA (G4) Omaha-Eppley Airfield Airport– Allegiant
ROA (G4) Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Woodrum Field Airport– Allegiant

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SRQ added nearly 20 flights in 2024 as passenger growth has soared

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