SFO Passenger Traffic up 506.8% from this Period Last Year
Photo via San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
According to SFO passenger arrival data comparing May 2021 to May 2020, passenger traffic to SFO is up 506% over what it was for the same time period. You can image that this escalating trend is only increasing for June and July.
International passengers in particular are up 843.7% over this time last year, with nearly twice as many arriving as leaving. Meaning tourism to the Bay Area is definitely a factor. It’s no wonder that SFO and the California Department of Public Health launched a Free COVID Testing Program for Arriving International Passengers this July.
According to SFO, the program will equip travelers with registered self-testing kits allowing the CDPH to monitor for COVID-19 variants in the state and develop mitigation strategies.
“We are proud to be the first airport in this pilot program with the California Department of Public Health,” said SFO Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “Throughout this pandemic, SFO has been leading the airport industry in developing onsite testing and vaccination capabilities. With this program, we take another important step forward in understanding how to track and defeat this pandemic.”
“This program ensures travelers will only bring back pleasant memories from their trip and not create unpleasant ones by unknowingly contracting or spreading COVID-19,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “CDPH continues to urge all Californians to protect yourself, family, friends, and your community by getting vaccinated.”
Meanwhile, the Bay Area domestic population is mostly vaccinated. 75% of adults in SF are completely vaccinated with 82% having received there first dose as of today.
