Passenger traffic slightly down at John Wayne

Paul Clinton

Passenger traffic has nearly returned to levels seen before the Sept.

11 terrorist attacks that crippled the nation’s air travel system.

Traffic for January was 2.8% below the same period in 2001, according

to data provided by the airport.

During the month, 552,496 passengers used the airport, compared with

568,514 in 2001.

Commercial flights during the period were down 3.5%, the data shows.

The nation’s airlines cut about 20% of their flights across the board

after the attacks.

Air cargo was also down in January by 5.1% compared with last year.

A comprehensive airport security bill passed by Congress in November

has led to sweeping changes at John Wayne, including tighter screening of

baggage and passengers, as well as a stepped-up presence by Orange County

sheriff’s deputies. On Tuesday, county supervisors approved three new

canine patrols.