Albany, NY (January 12, 2004) - - - United Airlines and CommutAir, the commuter airline which operates its hub from Albany International Airport saw strong improvements in passenger traffic during 2003. United, which provides service between Albany and Chicago, carried 94,965 passengers, up 35.5% over 2002. CommutAir, which flies under the banner of Continental Connection, carried 85,493 passengers from Albany during 2003, up 18.9% from 2002. CommutAir serves the Albany hub with 52 daily flights to 20 destinations.

Albany International Airport’s enplanements for 2003 totaled 1,434,690, down 2.9% over 2002. However, total passenger traffic exceeded budget projections and by closely monitoring expenses and instituting new cost control measures, the Airport is expected to end 2003 with a budget surplus of nearly $1 million that will be shared with the Airport’s signatory airlines.

"Growth in airline passenger traffic during 2003 was hindered by SARS, concerns over security, the war in Iraq and a reduction in available seating capacity," said Rev. Michael A. Farano, chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority. "Given the state of the industry, Albany International Airport’s passenger traffic exhibited a strong resilience to several negative forces."

Several airlines did report increases in Albany passengers during 2003 including American Eagle (+47.4%), Comair (+25.3%), Southwest (+2.6%) and United (+35.5%). Those airlines reporting a reduction in passenger traffic included Air Canada (-33.6%), Continental Express (-1.8%), Delta (-1.2%), Northwest (-0.1%), and US Airways (-14.6%).

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