PEORIA – The Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport began 2020 with two record setting months.
January and February provided a promising start to the year for PIA, but the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant reduction in passengers, with some flights leaving the airport with passenger numbers in the single digits, according to a release from the airport.
January finished with 51,436 passengers compared to the previous record of 48,847 in January 2017. February 2020 saw even more growth with 52,825 passengers, a 7-percent increase over totals a year earlier of 49,094.
Peoria’s Airport Director Gene Olson said it’s a matter of time until schedule reductions happen at PIA due to the coronavirus pandemic.
PIA has announced reduced shuttle service hours. Free parking shuttles will operate only in peak times. If a passenger needs shuttle assistance, they can call the airport operations number at (309) 697-8272, ext. 110.
“Our shuttle drivers are all in the high risk age group, and we’ve asked them to socially distance at home,” Olson said. Reduced shuttle hours will continue through March and April, or until the virus diminishes and passenger traffic picks back up.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has said all Trusted Traveler enrollment programs are on hold. If an individual has an interview scheduled for Global Entry or any other CBP program, the appointment has been cancelled and the appointment will need to be rescheduled after May 1.
