Punta Gorda flight traffic up

PUNTA GORDA — Passenger traffic at Punta Gorda Airport is up 67% over the year so far in 2011, according to the latest data released by the Charlotte County Airport Authority.

In the first five months of this year, 156,731 airline passengers have traveled through Punta Gorda Airport, compared to 93,647 travelers in the first five months of 2010.

In May alone, traffic more than doubled, from 6,629 passengers to 13,210. Both of the major airport's major airline partners — DirectAir and Allegiant Air — saw 100% increases. DirectAir traffic increased from 1,646 passengers to 3,982 over the year, while Allegiant traffic went from 4,983 passengers to 9,228.