Blountville, TN-The number of passengers using Tri-Cities Regional Airport dropped 5 percent during the second quarter 2008 compared to the same quarter last year. However, year-to-date, passenger numbers remained up by 0.9 percent.

"We anticipated that passenger numbers would decline this quarter as air carriers raise fares and reduce the number of available seats in an effort to combat record high fuel prices," said Melissa Thomas, TCRA director of marketing.

Air cargo transiting the Airport increased 49.9 percent for the quarter, and total landed weights increased 2.3 percent as compared to the same quarter last year. The increased landed weights can be attributed to the larger, heavier aircraft operated by Allegiant Air and charter aircraft. Overall aircraft movements declined 5.3 percent for the period.

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