The Massachusetts Port Authority today released passenger and operation figures for 2000 that show Logan International Airport continues to lose dominance in the New England market. Due to increased use of regional airports, passenger growth at Logan was limited to 1.3 percent over 1999 numbers. In total, 27,412,926 million flew through Logan last year, only 360,218 more than in 1999. Passenger growth from 1998 to 1999 also came in below estimates at just two percent.

Bucking national trends showing unprecedented growth in aviation, Logan reported a decrease in the number of total flights for the second consecutive year. Logan handled 478,873 operations in 2000, down from 494,816 in 1999. This 3.2 percent decrease follows a 2.5 percent decrease in operations from 1998 to 1999. An operation is defined as a takeoff or landing.

Below are the figures for Massport's three airports:

	1999 Passengers	2000 Passengers	% Change
Logan International Airport	27,052,708	27,412,926	1.3%
Hanscom Field	22,924 (service September-December)	162,147	607%
Worcester Regional Airport	49,727	106,145	113%

"In 1999, I made a commitment to make the regionalization of air traffic a reality. Massport made a bold commitment to reduce the burden of airport noise and traffic on communities such as East Boston, South Boston, Chelsea, and others close to Logan" said Virginia Buckingham, Massport Executive Director and CEO. "Today, I am pleased to report that the numbers support that commitment. I will continue to ensure that growth in air travel be spread equitably, efficiently, and fairly throughout the New England."

Since taking over operation of Worcester Regional Airport in January 2000, Massport has brought three new airlines to the underutilized facility in Central Massachusetts and more than doubled the number of passengers. Massport continues to aggressively market the airport and has committed $500,000 to promote Worcester and other regional airports as part of a cooperative 'Fly New England' campaign.

Massport has been engaged in an all out effort to regionalize air traffic throughout New England to lessen the burden on Logan Airport and its neighbors. The regionalization strategy will strengthen and position regional airports to handle the majority of the 23 million additional passengers expected in New England by 2010. Increased service from regional airports and a new runway at Logan will improve the efficiency of New England's regional transportation system.

More in this Section