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A recent influx of flights has led to a dramatic increase in passenger numbers at the airport. In 1995, approximately 500,000 passengers passed through the airport. In 2004 this number more than doubled to 1.1 million and in 2005 it reached 1.4 million. The increase in passenger numbers has necessitated several improvement projects at the airport. The new arrivals hall is fully operational, and the departures terminal renovations are underway. The check-in area has already been completed. The airport receives a large amount of tourist traffic from passengers destined for the beach resorts of Salou and Cambrils. It is also close to one of Europe's largest theme parks, Port Aventura. In addition, passengers travel to the Mountains of Prades, a Mediterranean forest in the comarca of Baix Camp. The Priorat, a neighboring region, is known for the quality of its wines. Some low-fare airlines use Reus Airport in place of service to Barcelona, as the city is 75 km to the north and can be reached by public and private transport. The airport is now a Ryanair base (since October 2008) and has three aircraft based there. Although for the Winter 2009 � 2010 season Ryanair has reduced the number of flights and destinations from Reus by a substantial amount. This reduction is only temporary and a full flight programme will recommence late March 2010. Ryanair has also announced six new European routes for summer 2010. In 1996, two powerful bombs placed by the Basque group Euskadi ta Askatasuna (ETA) in the airport left more than 30 people injured. That same day two other bombs exploded in two hotels located near the airport. |