Officials with Raleigh-Durham International Airport said Monday that despite cuts in the number of flights, the airport was still in a "strong financial position."

Wake County Commissioners heard an annual update on the airport at their meeting Monday from the county's appointees to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board, Michael Weeks and Terry Yeargan.

They said the number of passengers is down about 10 percent from one year ago.

However, officials said September saw the smallest decrease in passengers for the year.

While American Airlines recently said it would cut service from RDU to St. Louis, officials said Southwest Airlines will begin service to that city in May, and the airline will also begin two additional flights to Boston in the summer.

Officials also said the average domestic fare at RDU was $270 during the first three months of 2009, compared to the national average of $314.

They also discussed the addition of Terminal 2 along with numerous restaurants and shops.