Use of O.C. Airport Is on the Rise
The number of passengers using John Wayne Airport bounced back closer to normal levels during the first two weeks of October, with experts attributing the rebound to travelers trying to avoid delays and other problems at Los Angeles International Airport.
About 242,200 people used the Orange County airport from Oct. 1 to Oct. 14. That is 17% fewer than during the same period in 2000. But it is higher than the passenger loads at many other airports across the country, which experts said are running at least 25% below normal.
“It’s climbing back,” said John Wayne spokeswoman Yolanda Perez, noting that passenger volume was 46% below normal just two weeks ago.
The improving numbers come as airports across the nation struggle since last month’s hijacking of four commercial jetliners left many passengers afraid to fly.
Mike Taylor, director of travel services for the marketing firm J.D. Power & Associates, said John Wayne has emerged as a convenient alternative to LAX, where heightened security measures have caused long delays.
“If you try to get out of LAX lately, it isn’t worth the hassle,” he said.
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