Press Releases

News Release - Baton Rouge, LA –For Immediate Release, November 30, 2017

Passenger enplanements at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport (BTR) were up 10.7% year-over-year for the Thanksgiving travel period. Total BTR passenger volume through October is up 4% year-over-year at 641,169 passengers (enplanements and deplanements). Passenger data for the full month of November is not yet available.

Seating capacity growth due to the use of larger aircraft at BTR was again a significant factor in the higher Thanksgiving travel period volume according to airport officials. The majority of BTR flights are now operated with larger, dual-class regional jets or mainline aircraft.

“We appreciate the additional passenger support this Thanksgiving travel period, both from outbound and inbound travelers,” said Ralph Hennessy, Interim Director of Aviation at BTR. “Airlines follow passengers. Consumer behavior is a critical factor in determining our level of air service.”

Hennessy noted that American seating capacity was up nearly 14% this November due to flying larger jets into BTR with first class, main cabin extra, and coach seating options. “We need to show American, Delta, and United that the community will fill larger aircraft at BTR.”

BTR’s passenger count has been up 13 of the past 14 months dating from September of 2016, and total passenger volume is the second highest among commercial airports in the State.