2015 marks record year for SGF

Springfield-Branson National Airport posted a record year in 2015.

The airport known by its SGF service code yesterday reported 919,044 passengers, a 3.4 percent boost from its previous record of 888,738 set in 2005. Last year’s total also beat 2014 by roughly 9 percent, according to a news release.

“Over 70,000 more passengers used the Springfield airport last year than in 2014,” Aviation Director Brian Weiler said in the release. “This level of passenger growth is very good news and a strong indicator of a much-improved local economy.”

SGF spokesman Kent Boyd pointed to additional seating and planes flying out of the airport, including American Airlines Group Inc.’s (Nasdaq: AAL) direct service to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport hub in North Carolina.

Last summer, the Springfield airport reported Allegiant Air (Nasdaq: ALGT) would increase its schedule by 57 percent compared to 2014. Its other three airlines - American, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and United Airlines - brought larger jets to the market.

“The move away from 50-seat jets is industrywide, but it’s accelerated in Springfield due to strong demand,” Boyd said in the release. “Demand is so high that over the past four years airlines have increased the number of seats for sale in Springfield by nearly 16 percent.

“At the same time, the number of passengers grew by over 25 percent.”

At 10 comparative airports cited in the release, only one had positive movement in seats 2012-15. According to Boyd Group International, seat changes at those airports were:
    •    2.4 percent, Eugene Airport, Oregon;
    •    (3.6 percent), Shreveport Regional Airport, Louisiana;
    •    (4.1 percent), Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Louisiana;
    •    (4.7 percent), Bishop International Airport, Flint, Mich.;
    •    (8 percent), Wilmington International Airport, North Carolina;
    •    (9.6 percent), Columbia Metropolitan Airport, South Carolina;
    •    (10.7 percent), Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, Panama City, Fla;
    •    (11 percent), Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, Texas;
    •    (13.6 percent), Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport, Virginia; and
    •    (19.8 percent), Huntsville International Airport, Alabama.

To accommodate additional traffic, Weiler said SGF has plans to expand its available parking this year.