JWA passenger numbers up

November saw an increase in airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport over the same period in 2011, a news release said this week.

In November 2011, 705,465 passengers passed through the airport. In that same period in 2012, 750,800 passengers got on and off planes at JWA.

In 2012 through November, the airport saw 8,122,318 passengers versus 7,911,496 in the same period in 2011 — a 2.7% increase.

The total number of take-offs and landings at the airport also increased in November 2012 over 2011 by 9.4%, from 18,077 to 19,782.

While overall commercial aircraft take-offs and landings increased by 4.2% in November 2012 over November 2011, commuter aircraft operations decreased by 5%. That includes the take-offs and landings of planes with no more than 70 seats that provide regularly scheduled service.

General aviation activity (which includes private aircraft) increased by 12.5% in November 2012 over November 2011 and accounted for 65.1% of the airport’s take-offs and landings, according to the release.

—Jill Cowan

Twitter: @jillcowan