Airport Growth Leads Region
july 27, 2009
June 2009 was the second busiest month in the history of the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF). The total passenger count: 85,976.*
June’s numbers were up ten percent over the same month last year. It marked the fourth consecutive month of growth at SGF and comes at a time of declining passenger numbers across the country.
“The only other major nearby airport experiencing growth right now is the one in Northwest Arkansas,” says Gary Cyr, director of aviation for SGF. The Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport reported its June numbers up 3.9 percent. Passenger numbers were down at the airports in Tulsa, Kansas City and St. Louis.
The growth at SGF comes despite cuts in service and significantly fewer flights than last year. “The airlines have cut across the board in response to the recession,” says Cyr. “Delta dropped our service to Detroit at the end of April. And overall, we had 15 percent fewer flights this June than last. I would expect cuts like that to translate into fewer customers, but that hasn’t been the case.”
The good news is a surprise—especially in light of recent passenger declines. SGF finished 2008 with a 12 percent yearly decline in passengers. January began 2009 with an ominous 14 percent monthly decline. February was worse: down 15 percent.
March saw a turnaround. “In March we were down only nine percent; it’s been good news since then,” says Cyr.
The good news for Springfield comes at a time when the aviation business in general is experiencing hard times. Last week most major airlines reported second quarter losses. By the end of the year most industry analysts expect to see an annual reduction in U.S. air travel of nine percent.
How long will the Springfield upswing last? “Much depends on the economy and the cost of fares,” says Cyr. “If the airlines start hiking fares in a significant way, I suspect we’ll have fewer customers. On the other hand, the relative strength of the Springfield area economy may keep our numbers growing.”
SGF 2009 Total Passenger Numbers
| MONTH |
TOTAL PASSENGERS |
PERCENT CHANGE COMPARED TO SAME MONTH LAST YEAR |
|
|
|
January 2009 |
50,375 |
-14% |
February 2009 |
45,797 |
-15% |
March 2009 |
66,295 |
-1% |
April 2009 |
61,413 |
0% |
May 2009 |
81,496 |
+17% |
June 2009 |
85,976 |
+10% |
SGF 2008-2009 Number of Flights
| MONTH |
2008 |
2009 |
|
|
|
January |
965 |
834 |
February |
832 |
795 |
March |
943 |
926 |
April |
890 |
815 |
May |
928 |
829 |
June |
965 |
823 |
|
|
|
* SGF’s number one month was June of 2005: 88,024. |
