2015 was a record year for the Asheville airport. The airport saw a 4 percent increase in ridership over the previous year. Tina Kinsey, director of marketing for the airport, credits the daily flights from large airlines American, Delta, and United, as well as increasing numbers of direct flights with Allegiant.
Tina Kinsey: “So we can serve the business traveling community very well, and also leisure travelers who want to go anywhere in the world.”
The airport recorded nearly 400,000 passengers for the year.
The airport's official news release is below:
Asheville Regional Airport announces a new record year of passenger growth |
(Fletcher, N.C.) Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) served a record number of passengers in calendar year 2015: 392,713 passengers enplaned at the airport in 2015, and 394,324 passengers deplaned, which is an overall 4% increase compared to 2014, the previous record calendar year of passengers served. The air service offerings at AVL have changed in the past few years. The airport continues to be served with a strong number of frequent daily flights to major hubs offered by legacy airlines American, Delta and United. At the same time, Ultra Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) Allegiant Air has continued to grow its presence in the market. In 2015, Allegiant added its fifth non-stop destination (Palm Beach International Airport), and designated AVL as a hub of operations, basing two aircraft, crews and a maintenance facility at the airport. "We have a robust compliment of air service at Asheville Regional Airport provided by our four excellent airline partners," said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director. "Simultaneously, our region's air travelers use AVL, which perpetuates the strength of the air service in our region." AVL was identified as the best connected non-hub airport in America in 2013 by MIT's International Center for Air Transportation, and has enjoyed continued growth since that time, now classified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a small-hub airport. Seats in the market have been strong, and a look ahead shows continued growth on the horizon, beginning with Allegiant's new non-stop service to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in May. # # # # #
Flights and airlines available from Asheville Regional Airport Allegiant - 2-5 weekly flights to each of the following: Baltimore (D.C. Area) - starting May 19, 2016, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Palm Beach, Punta Gorda and St. Pete-Clearwater (Tampa Bay Area) American - 6-8 daily flights to Charlotte Delta - 6-8 daily flights to Atlanta; limited summer service to New York City (LaGuardia) United - 1-3 daily flights to Chicago; 1-2 daily flights to the New York City area, seasonal (Newark) |
