The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport had another phenomenal month for passenger growth. In August 2017 the airport in Okaloosa County had 41,776 more passengers than it did in August 2016 – a 47-percent jump. The Pensacola International Airport had 12,748 more passengers, an 8.9-percent increase.
Overall, Pensacola still handles more passengers than Destin-Fort Walton Beach, 155,851 to 130,878 in August, but that gap continues to narrow. In August 2016, Pensacola had 54,001 more passengers than Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The difference was cut to 24,973 passengers in August 2017.
Year-to-date, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport has handled 200,015 more passengers compared to the first eight months of 2016 – a 32.5-percent increase. Pensacola has had 61,670 more passengers, for only a 5.7-percent jump.
From January-August 2017, the Pensacola International Airport has handled 1,143,804 passengers, while the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport has had 814,919 passengers.