By Philip Newman
“We're back,” said Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, referring to the steady recovery that has occurred after the dramatic dropoff in flying immediately following the World Trade Center attacks.The Port Authority announced that air passenger traffic totaled 93,861,671 in 2004 at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports, an increase of more than 12 percent over the 2003 total.The Port Authority credited the recovery to renewed air traveler confidence, extensive public and private investments, strong demand and low airfares.The previous record of 92,419,554 passengers was set in 2000. Passenger traffic plummeted following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.It was JFK that led the way with 37.5 million passengers last year, representing an 18 percent increase over 2003, making Kennedy the fastest growing airport in the New York City region and one of the fastest growing airports in the nation. LaGuardia Airport had 24.4 million passengers, an increase of 8.7 percent, while Newark Liberty Airport recorded an 8.3 percent increase with 31.9 million passengers in 2003.The Port Authority said the 12.2 percent increase in passengers at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark was nearly two times the average rate of other major U.S. airports.Domestic passenger levels in 2004 were 3.1 percent higher than pre-Sept. 11 levels. International traffic, which increased 15 percent in 2004, was expected to exceed the pre-Sept. 11 pace this year.Port Authority Executive Director Kenneth Ringer Jr. said “we're the world's largest origin-and-destination market with one in four of our nation's international travelers and 6 percent of all domestic travelers relying on our airports as their gateway. It's an enormous responsibility but one we gladly welcome.”Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 136.
