Domestic arrivals dropping

LIHU‘E — The number of people getting off domestic flights at Lihu‘e Airport dropped 7.5 percent in May, as passenger counts fell further behind the record-setting pace of 2022.

A total of 73,980 passengers deplaned domestic flights in May, compared with 79,981 in May 2022, according to data compiled by the state Department of Business, Economic Development &Tourism.

That marked the fourth straight month the passenger count decreased, when compared with the same period a year earlier; something that did not happen in 2022.

The average daily count slipped to 2,386 in May from 2,580 in May 2022.

The count only includes passengers from direct domestic flights, including Kaua‘i residents returning home, and excludes visitors arriving by inter-island air.

That means visitors arriving from neighboring islands aren’t accounted for in the domestic deplanement total even if their flight originated in the Lower 48, nor are passengers on flights from Canada.

While the passenger count started the year on a high note, with a record 62,903 for the month of January, the count is now tracking well below that of 2022.

A total of 338,860 passengers deplaned domestic flights through the five-month period ended May 31, compared with 349,398 passengers in the five-month period ended May 31, 2022. That marked a decrease of 3 percent.

Of note, the passenger count surpassed 900,000 for the first time in an annual period last year, as it ended up at 910,558 for the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2022. The previous high of 772,705 was set in 2018, followed by 770,934 in 2019, department data showed. Data is subject to revision.

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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.