(Cedar Rapids, IA): It sounds like repetition, but for the fifth month in a row The Eastern Iowa Airport saw record breaking passenger numbers. This news came right after the results that showed The Eastern Iowa Airport has the largest decrease in fares from 2012 -2013 with a 16.5% decrease.
April saw a total of 90,728 passengers pass through, topping last years all time high of 85,676.
This was a 5.9 percent increase month over month bring the year to date increase in enplanements to 7.3 percent over last year at this time.
March was a record breaker with a total of 109,793 passengers flying in and out of The Eastern Iowa Airport. This broke the previous record set last year of 98,435 passengers.
February also produced a second straight year of record number of travelers with 82,830 passengers, eclipsing the previous same month record of 79,359 passengers in February 2013.
A total of 83,664 passengers used the airport in January, topping the previous same-month record of 81,690 passengers in January 2007. Finally, a total of 89,869 passengers traveled through the airport in December, beating the previous same-month record of 87,552 set in December of 2002.
“This continued growth is a product of several factors,” Said Tim Bradshaw, Airport Director. “Combine fares that are equalizing with neighboring airports with a strong local economy and you see the growth that we are experiencing.”
The continued growth is driving renovations and upgrades to the 27 year old terminal. To alleviate some short term constraints, the airport will be adding a passenger boarding bridge to the B gates, currently ground boarding only. In 2016, the plans are in place to build a second concourse at the B Gates that will add two additional passenger boarding bridges, expand the hold rooms in the C concourse, and expand the security check point.
In April of this year, the terminal modernization project started with the addition of a new canopy to the front of the building, renovated lobby, ticketing area, and baggage claim, and energy efficient upgrades to improve the use, function, and carbon footprint of the terminal. They will also begin a 5 year parking lot and pavement improvement project.
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