DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Des Moines International Airport's passenger numbers are still struggling a year into the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We actually started the year with a 59 percent decrease compared to the year-end of 2020, which was at 55 percent" says Des Moines International Airport's Kayla Kovarna.
She says there is some optimism heading into the spring break weeks of March.
"Between March 1st and the 14th, just in those couple of weeks, we saw a 20 percent increase in the number of travelers," Kovarna says.
She says they hope increased vaccination numbers translate to increased passenger numbers.
"We are seeing that the more vaccines are distributed, there is that growth in confidence and folks are looking at travel again," Kovarna says.
She says even as people are being vaccinated, mask requirements are still in place not only in the airport terminal, but also on planes.
Kovarna says ongoing federal COVID assistance for the airport and airlines are also doing a lot to keep the industry going.