South Florida Airports Report Drop in Holiday Travel

What was once a hot-spot for holiday travel saw a decline in travelers this year. Initial estimates reveal that airports in South Florida saw fewer holiday travelers in 2008 than in years past.

Although official figures have not been released yet, the South Florida Business Journal reports that there were 8.4 percent fewer parking transactions at Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) last month.

Mike Simmons, deputy director of finance at PBIA, said the decline in travel to do with the 13 percent reduction in Florida flights to Palm Beach airport.

Meanwhile, officials at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport told the publication that there was an 11 percent drop in passenger traffic this holiday season.

Spokesman Steve Belleme said: "The bottom line is you can only have as many travelers as you have seats."

Referring to new services from JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines, he added: "The silver lining is the discount carriers are picking up as the majors are cutting back."

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