The airport and aviation experts say rising fuel costs are prompting airlines to scale back.
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa International Airport (TPA) is preparing for one of its slowest summer travel seasons in years, beginning this weekend with Memorial Day weekend travel.
Airport officials say TPA is expecting about 65,000 travelers per day this summer — down roughly 7,000 daily passengers compared to last year. The summer travel season runs this weekend through mid-August.
According to aviation experts and airport officials, the slowdown is not because fewer people want to travel. Instead, airlines are trimming schedules and reducing departures as rising fuel prices continue to pressure the aviation industry. TPA officials also point to the recent shutdown of Spirit Airlines operations as a major factor impacting flights.
“Because of the increase in fuel price, it’s increasing the cost structure of airlines,” said Ahmed Abdelghany, a professor of operations management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “Some flights will be sacrificed in the schedule.”
Airport spokesperson Beau Zimmer said Tampa International is expected to average about 18 fewer departing flights per day this summer compared to last year — a decrease of nearly 8%. Fourteen of those lost flights were previously operated by Spirit Airlines, while the remaining cuts come from airlines reducing how often they fly certain routes.
Despite fewer flights, planes are expected to remain full. Airlines are relying more heavily on larger aircraft and maximizing capacity to offset higher fuel costs. Major carriers including American, Delta, Southwest and United are all reducing some weekly routes this summer.
“Most of the airlines worldwide are trying to look at the schedule and see where they can restructure the capacity to maintain profitability as much as they can,” Abdelghany said.
The impact of rising costs is also being felt on the roads. AAA projects about 2.3 million Floridians will drive during the Memorial Day holiday period, while gas prices across Florida average around $4.50 per gallon — roughly $1.50 higher than this time last year.
AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said many travelers are still moving forward with summer trips despite the higher prices.
“By and large we’re not seeing people change plans,” Jenkins said. “They’re not canceling plans. In most cases, what people are doing is just budgeting differently.”
Airport officials say May 31, June 1, July 5 and August 2 are expected to be the busiest travel days of the summer at Tampa International.
The busiest day of air travel this Memorial Day weekend will be Thursday, per the FAA, and AAA expects 3-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday to be the busiest times on the roads.