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Buffalo Airport Welcomes Five Millionth Passenger

By Eileen Buckley

Cheektowaga, NY – The Buffalo Niagara International Airport has reached a record breaking milestone. On Wednesday, the five millionth passenger arrived on a flight from Florida to Buffalo. That set a new, one year passenger record.

Heidi Donovan, traveling with her husband and two young children, arrived from Pensacola, Florida. As Donovan stepped into the airport terminal, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority leaders welcomed her. She was the 5-millionth passenger to arrive in Buffalo. Her husband, 35-year old Byran Donovan, is originally from Elma.

The NFTA says the airport was not expected to hit the five million mark until the year 2020. But NFTA executive director Larry Meckler says low-cost airlines, airport improvements and Canadian travelers boosted passenger numbers 14 years ahead of schedule.

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