Press Releases

News Release - Baton Rouge, LA –For Immediate Release, September 14, 2017

Baton Rouge Metro Airport (BTR) passenger enplanements were up 12% in August despite numerous Houston flight cancellations on United due to Hurricane Harvey. Year-to-date enplanements are up 4.2%. A total of 61,930 passengers traveled through the airport in August, and 508,193 year-to-date.

Increased seating capacity due to the use of larger aircraft at BTR was a big factor in the uptick in passenger volume according to airport officials. The majority of BTR fights are now operated with larger, dual-class regional jets or mainline aircraft that include First Class seating.

“The additional seating capacity due to the larger regional jets is the equivalent of several more daily flights,” said Ralph Hennessy, Interim Director of Aviation at BTR. “We are grateful to our incumbent airlines for up gauging aircraft on many flights, and we encourage area residents to always check BTR and support the additional service.” Hennessy added, “Keeping a high percentage of the seats filled on existing flights is the most important factor in retaining and expanding airline service. It is especially important to show the airlines that we can fill the larger aircraft.”

American edged Delta for top BTR passenger share in August at 41% compared to Delta’s 40%, followed by United at 19%. United’s numbers were adversely impacted by August flight cancellations due to Hurricane Harvey’s impact on their Houston hub.

BTR’s passenger count is up for the 12th consecutive month dating from September of 2016, and total passenger volume is the second highest among commercial airports in the State.