ST. LOUIS COUNTY — St. Louis Lambert Worldwide Airport’s restoration from pandemic-caused doldrums hit a milestone in October.

That was the primary full month during which the entire passenger depend on the airport  exceeded the quantity recorded in the identical month earlier than the COVID outbreak started in 2020.

Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge introduced that 1.425 million individuals got here by Lambert in October for departing, arriving or connecting flights.

That was about 1.6% greater than the 1.403 million recorded in October 2019.

The statistics are from the federal Transportation Safety Administration, which oversees safety screening at U.S. airports.

Hamm-Niebruegge, at a gathering of town Airport Fee, additionally mentioned TSA statistics for this yr’s 11-day Thanksgiving vacation journey interval confirmed the variety of passengers going by safety at Lambert hit 201,000.

That was up about 3% over the 198,000 reported for a similar interval in 2019. 

She mentioned these “actually, actually sturdy numbers” are in line with what was occurring throughout the nation.

Information for individuals arriving and connecting at Lambert throughout this yr’s Thanksgiving interval shouldn’t be but accessible.

Additionally on Wednesday, Southwest Airways’ curbside check-in space moved from the start of the Terminal 2 passenger drop-off space to the top.

Hamm-Niebruegge mentioned it is a part of Lambert’s ongoing effort to ease car site visitors congestion outdoors the terminal utilized by Southwest, which is by far the airport’s dominant service.

Lambert had labored a number of years to persuade Southwest to comply with the change.

The fee on Wednesday OK’d one-year extensions of two main contracts with out new aggressive bidding, for managing Lambert parking operations and for boiler service and repairs.

The contract for Cleveland-based SP Plus Corp. to run the airport’s tons and garages would proceed till the top of February 2025. SP has had the contract since 2021.

Lambert officers mentioned SP, which makes use of the Tremendous Park identify, has struggled in recent times with a scarcity of shuttle bus drivers however has lately been in a position to appeal to extra candidates and enhance its workforce right here, due partly to a hike within the beginning pay.

Hamm-Niebruegge mentioned placing the contract out for bid now may trigger anxiousness for brand new workers.

Lambert mentioned SP, which is meant to have about 130 workers right here, has about 20 vacancies, which Hamm-Niebruegge is far decrease than a yr in the past.

“We do not need to give the staff that simply acquired employed the priority that (they) may not have a job” if one other firm was chosen, she mentioned.

Rob Salarano, Lambert properties supervisor, mentioned SP could be paid about $949,795 for the added yr, up almost 5%.

That is due, he mentioned, to a rise in insurance coverage prices that SP should cowl due to new bigger buses utilized by Lambert to shuttle workers to parking tons.

Lambert officers mentioned the extension of the boiler service contract with Mechanical Options Inc. additionally is said to employee shortages.

They mentioned the $1.6 million extension is required as a result of some employees for the contractor carry out duties usually carried out by common Lambert staffers whom have left and the airport has been unable to exchange. 

Placing the contract out for bid now would lead to employees who’ve turn into educated about Lambert probably being changed by individuals with one other firm, Hamm-Niebruegge mentioned. 

The fee, in the meantime, additionally OK’d two different contracts on which aggressive bidding was used. RJP Electrical, LLC could be paid $2.18 million for electrical companies for a three-year interval beginning in January. Rottler Pest and Garden Options could be paid $93,600 for a three-year interval starting subsequent March.

These 4 contracts additionally require approval of town’s chief fiscal physique, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment.