In 2024, ROA records a record-breaking year for new passengers

Roanoke, Virginia -As it breaks a 24-year record for new passengers in 2024, Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport is reaching new heights.

For 92 years, ROA has provided services to tourists, residents, and business travelers. However, 2024 was a year of notable expansion. With almost 756,000 passengers served, the airport set a new record in 2000, up 2.8% from the year before.

We may have never had so many passengers in a single year before. Being able to eclipse speaks volumes about the area, what is happening here, and how vibrant things are. Therefore, it’s encouraging to see people using the local airport and flying again,” ROA Executive Director Mike Stewart said.

According to Stewart, the success is due to larger planes, more frequent flights, and nonstop locations that meet changing visitor needs.

Specifically to the hubs in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Washington-Dulles, as well as Philadelphia, which has been expanding in recent years. Allegiant has been operating flights to Florida, Orlando, Sanford, and St. Pete-Clearwater, in addition to the two trips to New York. The number of local flights has increased. They must observe that we wish to fly locally. That’s giving them a positive message,” Stewart added.

Allegiant, American, Delta, and United are the four airlines that ROA operates, offering passengers one-stop connections to almost any location in the world. Allegiant will launch a new weekly non-stop service to Sarasota-Bradenton on February 14, increasing the number of nonstop destinations at the airport to nine.

In order to make financial sense for the airlines, we want to provide nonstop service to the locations with the most traffic. Therefore, we still have cities like Dallas-Ft. Worth and Denver where there aren’t enough passengers to convince the airlines that it would be lucrative, but when you consider the connections and one-stops, you have a strong argument, Stewart said.

In addition to being a major travel center, ROA is essential to the local economy.

The majority of people are unaware that the airport is a part of our town. We are as successful as they are. Being able to meet their needs is what we want. The main effect of having people drive elsewhere is to boost someone else’s economy rather than ours. We certainly make an effort to make as much money as we can since we want to maintain affordable airline rates and fees while still giving them the amenities they require. I get complaints about airplane tickets all the time.

You may check that out and see that $4.50 is there. We only get that to run this airport,” Stewart remarked.

According to ROA, it is still concentrating on enhancements to promote regional economic growth.