COVID-19 Decimates Passenger Traffic

May 20th, 2020 | Airport News

96% drop in passenger traffic in April due to pandemic

(Hanover Township, PA) – The COVID-19 health crisis has reduced air travel across the country to a standstill.

During April, passenger traffic at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) was nearly erased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic with only 2,749 passengers traveling through your neighborhood airport – a 96.7 percent decrease from April ’19.

“Just one year ago this past April, the Airport celebrated its rich 90 year history, and now only 12 months later, ABE is enduring a historic challenge in aviation that will take a while to bounce back from,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, Executive Director, LNAA

Month             Passengers                Percentage decrease      Month                Passengers

Apr. ‘20               2,749                                   96.7%                     Apr. ’19                   83,560

By the numbers, Allegiant reported a significant passenger traffic decrease of 98%, Delta dropped 97.6%, United is down 96.7%, and American declined by 94%.

“Passenger traffic is expected to slowly return but there is no denying everyone’s travel experience at ABE will be different. Our responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment is paramount. Through the implementation of new protection measures by the LNAA and our stakeholders and with the help of the public, we can prevent transmission of this virus and ensure the health and safety of passengers and airport workers,” said Stoudt.

For more information about LNAA COVID-19 prevention efforts and travel tips at ABE, we encourage passengers to visit our online resource page at: https://www.flyabe.com/covid-19/

ABE remains a critical asset to the regional supply chain that continues battling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with 20,989,849 pounds of air cargo processed in April – a jump of 54.6% from April 2019.

Month             Passengers                Percentage increase      Month                    Passengers

Apr. ‘20            20,989,849                             54.6%                    Apr. ’19                13,572,998

“The Airport takes great pride in being a conduit for essential products to move quickly to and from our region.  Any way we can support the region while fighting this pandemic is certainly a high priority,” said Stoudt.

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