NEW WINDSOR – The number of passengers to use Stewart Airport in all of 2010 grew by 5,000 over 2009, but still remains dramatically lower than the 2008 level of 780,000. That’s when AirTran still serviced the Hudson Valley.

For 2010, Stewart has 395,434 passengers; in 2009, there were 390,680.

Airport officials are optimistic. Airport Manager Diannae Ehler told the Stewart Airport Commission Tuesday said she believes this year will see more growth.

She expects to see growth of between eight percent and 10 percent in 2011 as Delta and jet Blue both add an additional daily flight and Apple Vacations operates charter flights to Cancun for 10 weeks. Ehler predicted the airport would service 400,000 passengers this year.

While Stewart continues to woo other airlines to service the Hudson Valley, Ehler said Southwest Airlines, which has acquired AirTran, does not have Stewart on its radar at this point. Stewart Airport Commission Chairman James Wright said he hopes that eventually the airline will decide to service the Newburgh facility, as it is the only airport in the greater region without it.

Cargo passing through Stewart grew by about 2,000 tons in 2010 as compared to 2009. Ehler said that was due, in part, to FedEx adding a second flight a couple of days per week.

In 2010, the airport handled 13,000 tons of cargo while in 2009 it handled a little under 11,000 tons.