HUNTSVILLE – More than 1.6 million passengers traveled through Huntsville International Airport last year, marking its busiest year ever, officials said.
The airport saw a record 1,635,589 passengers for an increase of 11% in traffic over 2023. The previous record was 1,473,629, set in 2023.
The availability of more seats and more flights is the main reason for the increase in passenger numbers, said Huntsville International Airport CEO Butch Roberts.
“We have just seen 11 continuous months of all-time, record-setting passenger numbers, and if our airlines are doing well, they will add more capacity,” Roberts said. “For example, airlines have already made 10.6% more seats available to customers this January than were available in January 2024.”
Delta Air Lines moved to larger, mainline aircraft between Huntsville and Atlanta from the second quarter of 2024 on, and American Airlines added frequencies to Charlotte and Dallas, the airport said. The addition of Breeze Airways’ seasonal nonstop flights to Los Angeles helped increase passenger numbers last year.
“Breeze has brought North Alabama nonstop flights to the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S., and their presence has influenced the fares of our other carriers,” said Joey Ceci, board chair for Huntsville International Airport. “We are seeing the fruits of our collective work to make Huntsville more competitive in the air fare market. More people are shopping Huntsville air fares first and flying Huntsville because the assumptions that they have had about fares when flying locally are outdated.
“It’s just the tip of the iceberg of what this market demand could be; if our market will continue to support flying local, the airlines will take note and continue to add more frequency, larger equipment with more seats to offer, and hopefully, additional nonstop routes.”
Airport leadership said the Huntsville and North Alabama market – as well as the airport infrastructure – supports the addition of more flights and additional nonstop service in the years to come.
“We are seeing potential for growth already in the first six months of 2025 with the addition of Delta Air Lines’ daily nonstop service to New York City and the return of Breeze Airways’ summer nonstop flights to LAX,” Roberts said.
Breeze has increased frequency to the popular nonstop Orlando route by ramping departures up to five times per week in May.
“We appreciate the investment made in our community by our airline partners, and we appreciate our passengers choosing to fly Huntsville,” Roberts said. “More people are beginning to understand the economic benefit of choosing Huntsville – their time is worth something, and we are convenient and close to home.
“Our airport is gaining momentum, and if we can keep receiving our community’s support, we can grow, too.”
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