BWI sets all-time high passenger record

LINTHICUM, Md. (WMAR) - A record number of passengers flew through Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in the first quarter of 2012.

In the first three months of 2012 4,932,590 people flew through the airport, an increase of 2.6% over the same period in 2011, a new all-time high record for the first quarter in any year.

"The outstanding growth and success we experienced in 2011 has continued in early 2012," said Paul J. Wiedefeld, Executive Director of BWI Marshall. "We thank our customers as we prepare for a number of terminal improvements that will enhance the travel experience at BWI Marshall."

Southwest Airlines, the leading carrier at BWI served more than 2.8 million passengers this quarter, a 5.6% increase over last year.

Other airlines to show growth for the quarter were JetBlue, Delta, US Airways and British Airways.

Later this year, several airlines will add BWI services.  In April, Southwest started using its new, larger 737-800 aircraft on certain BWI Marshall routes. For international service, Condor Airlines of Germany will start twice-weekly seasonal flights from BWI Marshall to Frankfurt, Germany in July.

Next month, work is set to begin on a major terminal enhancement program at the airport to include a new security checkpoint, a secure connector between Concourses B and C with new amenities and improved facilities in Concourse C.