Video: October Busiest Month in Decade at GTRA

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COLUMBUS, Miss. — If air travel is any indication, the economy is showing signs of strengthening in northeast Mississippi.

Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) in Columbus saw record enplanements this past month.

The airport served almost 8,000 passengers during the month of October.

“It is the highest single month total we have had in the past ten years,” reports Mike Hainsey, executive director of the airport. “That is an increase of more than13 percent over last October.”

The large number of passengers is a good indication of a community’s economic vitality.

“Airports are a mirror of the local economy,” Hainsey added. “If the airport is growing it normally means a strong economic climate in the Golden Triangle.”

It is not just a healthy October that has airport authorities enthused about the Golden Triangle’s economic upswing, but the airport has also had a good year overall. Enplanements are up six percent since January.

“Having an airport with international connectivity is essential to the well-being of our community,” states Hainsey. “At GTR, passengers find a more convenient situation. They don’t have to drive two-and-a-half hours to get home, and we offer shorter security and check-in lines as well as convenient parking.”

GTR Airport serves all of northeast Mississippi and western Alabama. For more information log on to www.gtra.com.