Airport traffic jumps 33%

PUNTA GORDA — The number of people traveling through the Punta Gorda Airport rose 33% in May compared with the same month one year ago.

The increase in passenger traffic puts the airport on track to hit 1 million passengers for the first time this year, according to the Charlotte County Airport Authority. In the last 12 months through May, 952,162 passengers have traveled through the airport in Charlotte County.

In May, 87,352 people traveled through the Punta Gorda Airport using the sole carrier, discount airline Allegiant. That's up 33% increase since May 2015. It was the 31st consecutive month of year-over-year monthly passenger growth.