YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

After ups and downs at the start of the century, Springfield-Branson National Airport has increased passenger traffic for five years straight.Graphic provided by SPRINGFIELD-BRANSON NATIONAL AIRPORT
After ups and downs at the start of the century, Springfield-Branson National Airport has increased passenger traffic for five years straight.

Graphic provided by SPRINGFIELD-BRANSON NATIONAL AIRPORT

SGF sets back-to-back passenger records

Posted online

The passengers are tallied, and it’s another record year for the Springfield-Branson National Airport.

For the second consecutive year – and fifth straight year of gains – the airport known by service code SGF set a new passenger record. Passengers totaled 952,703 in 2016, up 4.3 percent from 2015’s record of 913,395 passengers, according to a news release. Last year’s total is also a 7 percent bump from the original record of 888,738 set in 2005.

“We’re getting closer and closer to the magic 1 million passenger milestone,” SGF Aviation Director Brian Weiler said in the release. “Once an airport reaches that level, it’s playing in a different league. Airlines are more willing to consider new service, and retailers are more inclined to improve food and retail options.”

SGF recently added more flight options. Last week, Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co. (Nasdaq: ALGT) announced seasonal nonstop service starting May 25 to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida. Currently, Allegiant offers nonstop flights from Springfield to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix, as well as Florida airports in Orlando, Punta Gorda and Clearwater, according Springfield Business Journal archives.

In the past 14 months, Allegiant also converted its seasonal Los Angeles flights to year-round service and American Airlines Group Inc. (Nasdaq: AAL) added Springfield flights to Charlotte, according to the release.

“The number of take-offs and landings had help in a couple of areas – airline growth in the market, plus the addition of Premier Flight Center which opened at the airport last May,” Weiler said in the release. “Premier is a flight school and they’re doing a booming business, with more than 20 active students.”

Other year-end SGF figures:
    •    Scheduled airline flights were up 10 percent to 9,145.
    •    Take-offs and landings increased 13 percent to 48,784.
    •    Available airline seats went up 12 percent to 594,034.
    •    Air freight rose 7 percent to 28.9 million pounds.
    •    Fuel deliveries increased 10 percent to 6.8 million gallons.

The airport also added more than 300 parking spaces in 2016.

In addition to Allegiant and American, Springfield-Branson National Airport also has flights operated by Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and United Continental Holdings Inc. (NYSE: UAL). With the latest Allegiant addition, the Springfield airport offers 12 nonstop flights.

[[In-content Ad]]

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
From the Ground Up: Republic Intermediate School

The Republic School District is on track to open its Intermediate School for fifth- and sixth-grade students for the 2025-26 academic year.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences