Fewer passengers fly out of Reagan and Dulles

WASHINGTON -- The sluggish economy is taking a toll on local airports.

Both Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles International Airports experienced a drop in passengers.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority says passenger traffic was down 3.4 percent at Reagan National, when the first seven months of this year are compared to last year.

During that same period, Dulles saw a 2.5 percent decline in the number of passengers, although international travel is actually up about 8 percent.

A side-effect of the trend: The actual size of planes at Reagan National is getting smaller as airlines downsize.

Travel experts say airlines are more reluctant to fly larger planes that use more fuel as fewer people are booking tickets and seats stay empty.

That means it'll be harder for passengers at Reagan National to grab a spot on a crowded flight.

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