Governor O’Malley Announces Third Straight Annual Passenger Record for BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

Record 22.68 Million Passengers Flew BWI Marshall in 2012; International Passenger Traffic grew 20 Percent

2013-02-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that 22,679,887 commercial passengers flew through Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in 2012, a new all-time annual record. The 2012 annual passenger traffic figure, a 1.3 percent increase over 2011, represents the third consecutive annual record for BWI Marshall.

BWI Marshall Airport’s international passenger traffic rose 20.7 percent for the year. Annual cargo shipments reached 246.4 million pounds, an increase of 3.7 percent over 2011. In July 2012, BWI Marshall Airport set a new all-time monthly record with more than 2.2 million passengers.

“The sustained growth and success at BWI Marshall highlights its position as an important business and tourism gateway, as well as a job generator,” said Governor O’Malley. “This record-setting achievement affirms the Airport’s role as a critical transportation and economic development resource for Maryland and the National Capital region.”

Two new airlines began service at BWI Marshall in 2012. In July, Condor Airlines started twice-weekly seasonal service from BWI Marshall to Frankfurt, Germany. Frankfurt is a major international destination, and an important European hub market. In September 2012, Spirit Airlines began service to Fort Lauderdale and Dallas/Fort Worth. Last month, Spirit announced that it would start service in April 2013 to two new markets from BWI Marshall—Myrtle Beach, SC and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Southwest Airlines, the leading carrier at BWI Marshall Airport, served more than 13 million passengers in 2012, a 4.2 percent increase over 2011. Southwest and its subsidiary, AirTran Airways, carried 71.2% of all BWI Marshall passenger traffic in 2012.

Southwest Airlines recently announced schedule changes for 2013. Southwest will start service between BWI Marshall and Flint, Michigan in April. During 2013, the airline will shift service for San Juan, Charlotte, Portland (Maine), Rochester, and Grand Rapids from AirTran to Southwest flights. AirTran will start service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Memphis.

These additions follow recent increases in service to Aruba and Cancun by AirTran Airways.

Other airlines that increased passenger traffic at BWI Marshall in 2012 included Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and British Airways.

“We thank our passengers for making 2012 another record year,” said Paul J. Wiedefeld, Executive Director of BWI Marshall. “Last year, we served our 500 millionth customer in the history of this airport. We remain committed to providing excellent customer service and efficient, convenient travel for our passengers.”

Work began last summer on a major terminal enhancement program at BWI Marshall. The improvements will include a new security checkpoint, a secure connector between Concourses B and C with new passenger amenities, and an improved Concourse C facility with enhanced airline gate hold rooms and new food and retail space. The terminal enhancements are expected to be complete in late summer 2013. This year, BWI Marshall will continue work on a comprehensive, multi-year airfield pavement rehabilitation program.

BWI Marshall is an important economic engine that creates and supports almost 94,000 jobs, $3.6 billion in personal income, $5.6 billion in business revenue, and over $2.0 billion in local purchases. Combined, the tax contribution for BWI Marshall is over $721 million per year.

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Contact:
Jonathan Dean
410-859-7027