Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) passenger traffic saw a decrease of 22.6 percent in March due to the spread of COVID-19, with 153,246 passengers traveling through the airport, the majority in the first half of the month. Passenger traffic is expected to be down 95 percent in April as the full effects of the decline in travel are experienced for the full month. Airport leadership added in a release that because many of SRQ’s nine air carriers applying for federal grant money under the CARES Act, the airport expects to maintain a minimal level of service. It is also increasing its number of janitorial employees and instituting cleaning procedures that meet or exceed CDC guidance.

Prior to this month’s decrease, the airport experienced 24 straight months of increased passenger traffic.  Year-to-date, the airport says its passenger traffic is up 23 percent for the first three months of 2020.