Passenger traffic rises significantly at Duluth airport

Commercial airline passenger through Duluth International Airport climbed five percent during the first quarter compared with the same period of 2011, the Airport Authority announced.

The three-month passenger total was 74,042.

"We are very pleased with this increase as it results in the second-busiest first quarter in the airport's history," Brian Ryks, the authority's executive director, said in a news release.

He credited Allegiant Airline's added March flights to Las Vegas and Orlando plus growth of United service to Chicago. United's traffic grew 26 percent and Allegiant's by 36 percent during the period. That level of customer support, Ryks said, could lead to additional service options through the airport.

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