Airport visitors down so far this year (DOCUMENT)

The BP oil spill appears to have slowed business at Northwest Florida Regional Airport this summer despite lower fares.

The number of passengers flying in and out of the airport was down 7 percent through the first seven months of the year compared to the same time last year. June and July saw larger reductions of 10.5 percent and 15.9 percent, respectively.

“I believe the majority of that relates to the oil spill, and we will certainly quantify that as time goes by and document that,” said Greg Donovan, Okaloosa County’s airports director. “Our median fares are very attractive… When you see statistics like that of it going down, it’s not a price sensitivity as much it is a perception of the oil spill disaster itself.

“As far as our competition, whether it be Pensacola or Panama City, our parking is literally half that of our competitors and there’s no fare disparity. We’re beating them in every market that I’m aware of. When you have more competitive fares than the other airports and our numbers are down, it shows me it’s a relationship to the oil.”

Donovan said the airport could file a claim to recoup some of the lost revenue from having fewer travelers. The airport is working with the county to document the business loss since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded April 20.

“We’re still trying to determine what the true impact is,” Donovan said. “Once we quantify that, we’ll take the appropriate action.”

The drop in passengers hasn’t been the only fallout from the oil spill. One airline that is considering starting service at the airport had a site visit planned for earlier this year, but delayed that trip after the oil spill occurred. Talks are ongoing with the airline and Donovan expects its representatives to reschedule the visit.

Because of confidentiality agreements, Donovan said he could not release the name of the airline.

Donovan said a second airline is scheduled to visit the airport next week to discuss starting service. He also said some of the airport’s existing carriers were looking to expand.

“We have an ongoing dialogue with several airlines and the existing airlines we have here in trying to find new products,” Donovan said.

The reduction in passengers in June and July is not expected to delay the expansion of the airport’s terminal. Construction is expected to start in late September or early October to add two more passenger gates and enlarge the concourse by 5,500 square feet.