Fort Smith Airport Enplanements Down

Fort Smith Regional Airport had 15,589 total passengers for March, down 6.2 percent from 16,612 in March 2005. Year to date, enplanemets are down 3.8 percent from 43,898 in 2005 to 42,219 so far in 2006.

Seat capacity decreased 1,900, or 14 percent, this year according to a press release. Airlines reduced the capacity to try to restore profitability.

Airport Director Kent Penney said the reduced service of one American Eagle flight to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and the decreased seating capacity of two regional jets late last year contributed to the decline in total passengers.

In March, the airport installed a wireless fidelity system in the commercial airline terminal in cooperation with Cox Communications Inc.