Airline passengers are taking off and landing in Springfield, as the Springfield-Branson National Airport had its busiest month on record.
In June 2023, the airport hosted 126,370 airline passengers. In June of 2019, which was the airport’s busiest year on record, there were 118,477 passengers. Thus far, passenger numbers are up 10 percent compared to 2022, and are on pace to set a single-year record of about 1.3 million passengers, according to a news release from the airport.
Takeoffs and landings, at 31,808 so far in 2023, are up 20 percent compared to the same period last year, with scheduled flights up 6.5 percent and fuel sales up 14 percent, according to the release.
Kent Boyd, the airport’s air service development and public information manager, attributes the growth to a strong local and national economy, as well as a “pent up demand for travel.”
“During good economic times people travel more because they have more disposable income,” Boyd said. “But the growth this year is complicated. Airlines tell us that business travel has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, yet the number of people flying is still way up.”
Allegiant, American, Delta and United all fly out of Springfield. The airport's four major carriers have 13 non-stop destinations.
