Passenger Traffic at Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Continues to Grow

Passenger traffic at Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) has grown by 1.65 percent as of June 30, as compared to the same period in 2016. A total of 99,076 passengers were reported to have flown through SPI during the first half of calendar year 2017, as compared to 97,471 passengers during the same period in 2016. Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is regularly served by American Airlines, United Airlines, Allegiant and also serviced by Sun Country, which provides periodic charter services for various programs.

Beginning Aug. 23, American Airlines will serve the Springfield market with newer and larger aircraft on the route between Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Springfield (SPI). The DFW route will be operated on the 76-seat Embraer 175, E-175, jet, which will feature leather seating, a first-class cabin, a roomier main cabin, Wi-Fi, and wireless streaming onboard entertainment options. This larger aircraft replaces the 50-seat Embraer Regional Jet, ERJ-145. The new aircraft will provide the Springfield market with over 50 percent more seats on a daily basis.

Airport Authority Commissioner, Dianne Barghouti Hardwick, said, “We are grateful for American Airlines’ continued commitment to our community. The larger aircraft will provide a first-class cabin and more seating capacity for our market, options that should be welcomed by convention and tourism groups as well as our local business community.” She concluded by emphasizing, “This aircraft upgrade will provide tremendous opportunities and advantages for our community, especially once passengers experience the air service enhancement for themselves.”

The Authority’s Board Chair, Frank J. Vala, stated “We have been working closely with American Airlines in recent months to find ways to bring more seats into our market and we are glad they chose to serve SPI with this new and efficient aircraft. The timing is perfect, as the Airport Authority recently completed the installation of a new jet bridge to accommodate larger airplanes, such as the E-175, and the remodeling of the American Airlines boarding gate area in the terminal. We know passengers will enjoy the experience on board this aircraft.” Vala concluded by saying, “This investment by American Airlines, to fly larger aircraft into Springfield, has the potential to provide many positive economic impacts for our community.”