SGF airport passengers dip 11% in 2008

Passenger numbers at Springfield-Branson National Airport took a nosedive in the latter half of 2008, ending the year down 11 percent.

While travel activity out of the airport was down by only 2 percent as of June 2008, Aviation Director Gary Cyr said the economy took its toll in the last six months.

The year closed with 390,626 enplanements, compared to 441,347 in 2007.

Cyr said the decline was due largely to consumers' shrinking discretionary income.

Allegiant Air was the only airline to post positive local figures for the year, with 13 percent growth in its Springfield passenger numbers.

Cyr attributed that to the airline's low-fare status and its addition of a Springfield-Phoenix route in October.

The other four airlines flying out of Springfield all saw double-digit percentage dips in 2008.

American passengers fell 15 percent; Northwest passengers fell 14 percent; United passengers fell 16 percent; and Delta passengers were down 18 percent - partly due to its elimination of Springfield-to-Cincinnati service in August.

On tap for 2009

This year, Cyr said the air travel industry is predicting another 8 percent to 11 percent decline in activity nationally, but he's hoping it will hold steady in Springfield.

"A lot of this is hinging on the economy - if the economy comes back - but that's probably not going to take place until later on in the year," Cyr said.

"So we may be looking at a year of maintaining the same level of passengers as we did in '08," he added.

The airport will open its $119 million midfield terminal May 6. It will replace the existing terminal and will feature a national retailer, room for overnight jetliner parking, increased passenger capacity and space to accommodate post-9/11 security requirements.

The airport will face new competition in 2009, however. Branson Airport is scheduled to open May 9.