SAN DIEGO — In a new travel survey, experts looked at U.S. airports recovering the fastest from the COVID-19 travel slump. These experts dug into the latest U.S. Bureau of Transportation data, looking at passenger traffic data at airports.
San Diego International airport ranked 13 on the top 15 list of airports recovering the fastest from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are a year-long leisure destination. People want to come here because of our weather and beaches,” said Sabrina Lopiccolo, Public Information Officer for the San Diego International Airport.
In the survey, April shows close to 40,000 departing passengers from the airport. Then in June, that number jumped to 200,000.
“In April, we were down like many other airports - down 95%," Lopiccolo. "Month to date in October, we are down 68%.”
Lopiccolo added that as states have been lifting restrictions and more businesses have opened, air travel has increased.
Newlyweds from Reno arrived in San Diego Friday afternoon to visit family. The couple said it’s their first flight together and they felt safe, feeling more comfortable to board a plane.
Inside the airport, more than half of concessions, eateries and shops are open. There’s signage of health and safety protocols. COVID-19 safety measures and are in full effect and must be followed.
