DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly 24 million passengers passed through Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) in the first three quarters of calendar year 2009 according to statistics released today by the Wayne County Airport Authority’s Division of Financial Planning and Analysis. While total passenger traffic is down 11.8% for the nine-month period compared to 2008, numbers for the month of September itself are generating some cautious optimism.

September’s passenger traffic decline of 8.3% actually beat the expectations of airport management and represents the smallest month-over-month rate of decline in calendar year 2009. With the exception of July’s 9.2%, every other month this year has posted a double-digit rate of decline.

“While the rate of decline shows improvement, it is still a decline and revenue continues to be a challenge,” said CEO Lester Robinson.

While airlines world-wide continue reduce capacity, there are positive signs for the future. Last month, three airlines announced future air service from Detroit to new destinations. The most dramatic was Delta Air Lines’ announcement of non-stop service to Seoul and Hong Kong and new frequencies to Shanghai for June 2010. Southwest Airlines will resume weekly flights to Orlando this winter and has announced new, daily service to Denver coming in May 2010. USA3000 will return to Detroit this month with non-stops to Cancun, Ft. Myers and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic as well as service to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on selected days this winter.

For more detailed (and historical) statistics, see below or visit: www.metroairport.com/about/AviationStatistics.asp

WAYNE COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
September Calendar Year Monthly Summary
Preliminary as of October 30, 2009
		Calendar Year 2009					Calendar Year 2008					CY 2009/2008 % Change
		September		YTD			September		YTD			September		YTD
Total Passengers (1)		2,435,807		23,917,807			2,657,084		27,120,641			-8.3%		-11.8%
Domestic Passengers (2)		2,251,040		22,014,132			2,390,175		24,622,266			-5.8%		-10.6%
International Passengers		184,767		1,903,675			266,909		2,498,375			-30.8%		-23.8%
Landed Weights (in thousands of lbs.)		1,576,694		15,641,398			1,786,428		17,486,498			-11.7%		-10.6%
Operations		34,213		327,862			36,678		353,066			-6.7%		-7.1%
(1) Total Passengers is defined as the number of passengers traveling outbound (enplaned) and inbound (deplaned) as reported to the Wayne County Airport Authority by the airlines operating at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
(2) Canadian passengers pre-cleared, before entering the U.S., are reported as domestic arrivals and recorded as such by the Authority
NOTE: Airport statistics are subject to change as airlines report updates to Wayne County Airport Authority.

Wayne County Airport Authority
Michael Conway 734-942-3558
Scott Wintner 734-955-3745