Oakland airport doubles passenger traffic
OAKLAND >>
Oakland International Airport, revealing a welcome counterpoint to a dreadful travel year worldwide due to the coronavirus, more than doubled its passenger flights in June compared with May.
Passenger traffic through Oakland airport increased 141 percent during June compared to the previous month, yet in a reminder of coronavirus-linked economic woes, the June levels were 79 percent below the passenger traffic volumes for June 2019.
“While the June statistics are an improvement over what we experienced in April and May, activity remains far below where it should be for the historically busy summer travel season,” said Bryant Francis, director of aviation with the Port of Oakland.
An estimated 255,100 travelers flew in and out Oakland International Airport during June, a big jump from the 105,600 who went through the East Bay aviation hub in May, the airport reported.
But both the May and June numbers are far below the 1.22 million who flew through Oakland
airport in June 2019.
Increased flights in and out of Oakland airport offered by Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, and Volaris helped to lift passenger activity at the transportation complex during June.
The upswing in flight frequencies by these airlines arrived after months of dwindling flight schedules due to restrictions and concerns related to the coronavirus.
Delta Air Lines, which suspended Oakland service in May, has indicated it may resume twice-daily nonstop service connecting the East Bay with Salt Lake City in mid-September.
Still, the Oakland airport must contend with some setbacks despite the favorable flight changes by the various airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines had been planning to re-launch daily flights connecting Oakland with Oahu, Lihue on Kauai, and Kahului on Maui, starting on Aug. 1. But those plans were grounded after Hawaii decided to delay the reopening of the tourism industry in the Hawaiian Islands.
Southwest Airlines had been planning to increase its activity to 90 flights a day. However, signs of weaker demand for air travel prompted Southwest to hold off on any expansion in flight frequencies at Oakland. Southwest Airlines will keep flights in the range of 75 flights a day, according to Oakland airport.
During a time when passengers have begun to return to jetliner flights worldwide, Oakland airport officials said they have intensified efforts to combat the spread of the deadly bug.
That sort of approach is crucial if the East Bay airport is going to be successful in continuing to attract air passengers through the balance of the year.
“If would-be travelers don’t feel comfortable and confident, they won’t fly,” Francis said. “We remain committed to doing our part in providing a positive air travel experience through enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols.”