SANFORD, Fla. — Like other airports, Orlando Sanford International Airport took a major hit during the pandemic when passenger volume hit record lows. 

Since then, the airport has recovered all but about 10-15% percent of its passenger volume.  And while airport officials say 2022 is on track to have almost 2.8 million passengers by years end, that’s still down from the more than 3 million passengers the airport had back in 2019. 

Officials say, though, that there are also other factors beside the pandemic at play at the Sanford airport.

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando Sanford International Airport took a major hit during the pandemic when passenger volume hit record lows

  • Officials say the airport has recovered all but about 10-15% percent of its passenger volume

  • The airport has been able to add passenger volume back thanks to more offerings by its main carrier, Allegiant Air

  • The airport's president and CEO says Canadian carriers are also offsetting the loss of international carrier TUI, which moved to Melbourne's airport

David and Sara Albright and their three daughters are from Orlando, but have flown out of Sanford, often to Flint, Mich,. to visit family. But their latest trip is all about adventure.

“We’ve wanted to go out west to explore the national parks,” said David Albright. “Before you know it, we’ll be empty-nesters, so we just want to take advantage of the time we have here.”

The Albrights flew on the very first nonstop flight from Sanford to Provo on Allegiant Air, which they said was a better option for the family.

“I had looked at flying out of Vegas, because that’s probably the next closest — MCO to Vegas — and then driving,” said Albright.  “But that would be a farther drive to see those national parks in Utah.”

“It kind of makes it more memorable for us, you know?" Sara Albright said. "'Hey, remember when we went to Utah and we were the first ones on the flight and they had the cake and they had the photo booth?' So yeah, it will be a fun memory."

The Sanford airport is primarily a hub for Allegiant, so as that carrier builds back passenger volume, so does the airport — and Allegiant could soon add flights to Mexico, officials said. 

As for other international flights, Sanford lost several overseas carriers in recent years. But airport President and CEO Nicole Martz says volume from two Canadian airlines that began offering flights from Sanford — Swoop and Flair  0151 should offset those losses.

“It’s very exciting, and we expect to see that service continue to grow over the next year — essentially filling the gap of the loss of TUI,” said Martz.

TUI, another international carrier, moved to Melbourne Orlando International Airport earlier in 2022.

David Albright said his family was happy to be able to take advantage of a better option for their holiday trip. 

 “We didn’t want to do a connection because a chance of lost luggage, and one more hassle to add to the trip," he said. "So this was a great opportunity for us to have a straight flight there."

Martz said the airport was able to take advantage of lower passenger volume during the pandemic to complete a long-planned renovation of the airport, which she expects to help attract more passenger volume in the years to come.