Airport hits fifth straight month of passenger growth

Airport passenger numbers in Springfield continue to climb, according to data released Monday.

The airport logged 65,342 passengers in September, up 13 percent compared to September 2008. The increase marks the fifth consecutive month of double-digit percentage growth year over year for the Springfield airport and puts passenger activity up 5 percent, with 614,272 year-to-date passengers.

As has been the case since the beginning of the climb, much of the airport's success can be attributed to Allegiant Air, following a 140 percent increase in September. Allegiant passenger numbers for the first nine months of the year are up 49 percent.

American Airlines, which serves a higher volume of Springfield passengers than any other airline via American Eagle and American Connection, also posted growth in September. American passenger numbers were up 19 percent in September and are up 4 percent for the year.

Springfield continues to buck the national air travel trend; all 10 of the nation's largest airports are down for the year, and total North American domestic air travel is down 7 percent for the year, according to trade organization Airports Council International.

"Most airports are experiencing declines in passenger numbers, due to the recession. We're growing," Springfield airport spokesman Kent Boyd said in an e-newsletter. "Such growth, in a time of general decline, is good news for our airport, and its customers, because airlines are always interested in doing business in robust markets."

Boyd also cited low fares as a cause for the higher passenger numbers, though he noted that airlines are in the process of beginning rate hikes as the economy shows signs of recovery.[[In-content Ad]]