Passenger traffic at Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in calendar year 2016 increased by 4.33% over 2015. This marks the fourth consecutive year for year-over-year passenger growth at SPI. 191,946 total passengers were reported to have flown through SPI during calendar year 2016 as compared to 183,975 in 2015. All of the airport’s regularly scheduled air carriers, which include Allegiant, American Airlines and United Airlines, posted year-over-year gains contributing to the airport’s overall growth in passenger traffic. These increases in passenger traffic were achieved with nearly the same schedule, frequency and routes as the previous year. The passenger traffic reported in 2016 marks the highest annual total passenger traffic reported during the last twelve years. Increased passenger activity at the airport has continued into 2017, as the airport reports increased traffic of over 17% in January as compared to January 2016.
According to data collected by the Springfield Airport Authority during 2016, United Airlines served 82,029 passengers, an increase of 4,199 or a 5.40% increase over 2015; American Airlines served 52,131 passengers, an increase of 1,560 or 3.08%; and Allegiant served 54,173 passengers, an increase of 2,963 or 5.79%.
Airport Authority Commissioner, Dianne Barghouti Hardwick, says “The increases in passenger traffic are positive signs that more and more people are seeing the value of flying locally from Springfield. We routinely hear positive passenger comments about the airport’s convenient location, short lines and free parking; and that people can fly non-stop to four destinations or connect on flights in Dallas or Chicago to anywhere else with very reasonable and sometimes less expensive fares as compared to other travel options.”
The Authority’s Board Chair, Frank J. Vala, adds, “As in recent years, the Authority again expresses its gratitude to those that have looked to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport for their air travel needs, and to those airlines (United, American and Allegiant) that have made a commitment to serving the Springfield, Illinois marketplace. Using, investing in and promoting our local assets, such as the airport, contribute to our community’s goal to grow and achieve economic success. As people in the community make commitments to support local businesses, we ask that they also commit to flying from their local airport, as the continuance of positive passenger trends will help the community’s case to retain and grow its air service offerings.”
Passenger Traffic Summary 2010-16
Calendar Year                   Total Passengers
2010Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 125,369
2011Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 148,077
2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 138,480
2013Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 144,953
2014Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 174,265
2015Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 183,975
2016Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 191,946
