Springfield‐Branson National Airport Sees Record Year
The final count is in and it’s official: 2018 went down as the first year in history that 1 million passengers used the Springfield‐Branson National Airport (SGF).
“1,075,425 passengers used the airport in 2018,” said Brain Weiler, the airport’s Director of Aviation. “That’s an 8.3 percent increase over last year and it sets a yearly passenger record for the fourth consecutive year.”
A million passengers a year is a milestone not only for the airport, but for the community. It’s a symptom of a growing region, and a strong local economy — SGF passenger numbers have grown 43 percent since 2013. Nationally, airport passenger numbers in 2018 grew approximately 5.5 percent. SGF’s growth was 8.3 percent.
While the pace of future growth is uncertain, it’s expected to continue.
“All the signs are there,” says Weiler. “Most flights leave Springfield nearly full or sold out. The airlines provide excellent nonstop service to six major hub airports, plus seven vacation destinations. These are good indications of continued growth.”
The airlines seem to agree.
“In the past year the airlines have brought support services to Springfield that they haven’t had here before,” says Kent Boyd, the airport’s air service development manager. “As we got closer to the million-passenger mark, one airline added a second deicing truck. Others put aircraft mechanics at the airport on a full-time basis. In years past the airlines didn’t think there was enough business in Springfield to justify these additional resources. The fact that they’re doing it now tells us the airlines are bullish on Springfield passenger growth. And from the customer’s perspective it’s a good deal because it should mean fewer flight delays due to aircraft mechanical issues.”
For its part, the airport plans to expand its parking lots and rental car facilities in 2019. Three hundred parking spaces were added two years ago. In the coming year at least 300 more spots will be added to keep up with growth.
Other parts of the airport continue to grow as well. Air cargo transported by carriers UPS and FedEx grew 5.5 percent to 30,613,895 pounds in 2018. Aviation fuel to airlines and general aviation aircraft grew 13 percent to 7,954,421 gallons.
Four airlines serve Springfield: Allegiant, American, Delta, and United. They provide service to 13 non-stop destinations: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers, and Destin/Ft. Walton Beach.
