Tag Archives: Passengers

Ford Airport gets closer to 3 million passenger mark with October numbers

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A young passenger arrives from Phoenix-Sky Harbor at the Ford Airport. (Courtesy of the Ford Airport)

By Tara Hernandez

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

 

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) now sits less than 300,000 passengers away from setting another all-time annual record for passengers served. October 2018 saw 16-percent growth year-over-year, putting the Ford Airport at over 2.7 million passengers served in 2018 with two months left.

 

October marks the tenth record-breaking month in a row for 2018, and the airport has seen growth in 63 of the last 70 months. October 2018 was the busiest October ever, and at this point in the year GFIA has surpassed its annual totals reached in every year except 2017.

 

October 2018 had 284,710 passengers come through the Ford Airport, up from 245,319 in 2017. GFIA is up 15.7-percent in annual passenger totals.

 

“We still have two months left in the year and these are big months for us with November and December holiday travel mixed in. We know we will hit our three million passenger mark and then some,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport Marketing & Communications Director Tara Hernandez. “We continue to work on adding more air service, working with our airline partners to serve the destinations West Michigan travelers want to visit. Our work isn’t done and we only expect more big things in 2019.”

 

Allegiant recently announced nonstop service to Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) which will begin in April 2019, and American Airlines kicks off new nonstop service to Miami (MIA) and Phoenix Sky- Harbor (PHX) beginning in December 2018. Frontier also started Phoenix (PHX) and Tampa (TPA) this month.

 

“We are proud to have airlines investing in the Ford Airport and recognizing the growth of our West Michigan community,” said GFIA Board Chairman Dan Koorndyk. “We are thrilled to be on the edge of three million passengers, and we’re looking forward to celebrating that milestone.”

 

GFIA has invested in new facilities to accommodate the growing traffic by recently completing Phase One of the Gateway Transformation Project – an upgrade in space, retail, food and beverage, restrooms, finishes, amenities, and customer service offerings. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which centralized and combined security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also included new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, pre and post security business centers, a military welcome center, kids play areas, and much more.

 

Phase Two of the Gateway Transformation Project began in November 2018 with construction taking place at the airline ticket counters, baggage claim area, curbside, and ‘front of house’ area. For more information on construction updates and upgrades, please visit: http://www.flyford.org/construction.php

 

GFIA monthly passenger statistics are available on our website: http://www.grr.org/

As May passenger numbers rise, GFIA expects to see record summer travel

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By Tara Hernandez

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

 

May 2018 is going down as the busiest May ever at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA), and airport officials foresee the busy month kicking off an even busier summer schedule.

 

May passenger numbers were up 11.5 percent year-over-year; resulting in the busiest May ever, and marking the first time GFIA has served more than a quarter-million passengers in the month of May.

 

“We are happy to hear the first four months of increased traffic in 2018 were not just a fluke of winter and spring break traffic, but that our record-breaking passenger counts are continuing into the summer months,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport President & CEO Jim Gill. “We are seeing increases in the upcoming months with American adding mainline service to Dallas, Delta adding more frequency to New York-LaGuardia, and United’s capacity to Chicago and Denver increasing.”

 

May 2017 saw 234,300 passengers, while May 2018 topped that in serving 261,281 – the third largest increase ever for the month of May.

 

Each month of 2018 has resulted in record-breaking passenger numbers, and the Ford Airport is coming off a 2017 that saw over 2.8 million passengers – the fifth straight year of record growth. GFIA has seen growth in 58 of the past 65 months.

 

“Our airline partners continue to invest here and are adding more service through the summer with more routes, and larger aircraft to accommodate our growing passenger traffic,” said Gill. “We expect the record numbers and trends to continue in the busy summer months as West Michiganders visit the world, and as the world visits our beautiful West Michigan region.”

 

The upcoming summer is expected to be the busiest summer in the history of U.S. air travel, according to trade group Airlines for America (A4A). The group estimates that over 246 million passengers will fly in the U.S. between June 1 and August 31, 2018. Historically low fares and a strong economy are noted for aiding in that forecasted record-breaking summer travel period.

 

Because of the increases both nationally and at GFIA, those traveling are advised to arrive at the airport at least 90-120 minutes before their flight. Updated security screening information, tips on what to pack/not pack, and more are listed at www.tsa.gov

 

GFIA has invested in new facilities to accommodate the growing traffic by recently completing Phase One of the Gateway Transformation Project – an upgrade in space, retail, food and beverage, restrooms, finishes, amenities, and customer service offerings. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which centralized and combined security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also included new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, pre and post security business centers, a military welcome center, kids play areas, and much more.

 

Phase Two of the Gateway Transformation Project is slated to begin in Fall 2018 with construction taking place at the airline ticket counters, baggage claim area, and ‘front of house’ area.

 

“As we continue to grow in traffic it is imperative that our facilities keep up with our passenger demand,” said Gill. “Our passengers keep coming back because we listen to their wants and needs, and as they do we will continue to do our part to improve our amenities, technology, customer service and infrastructure. We are excited to see what the future holds, and we hope to add more growth in the years to come.”

 

GFIA monthly passenger statistics are available on our website: grr.org/history.php.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport records busiest month ever with 16.2 percentage growth

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By Tara Hernandez

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

 

March 2018 was the single busiest month in Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) history.

 

March passenger numbers were up 16.2 percent year-over-year; resulting in the busiest March ever, the busiest first quarter ever, and breaking an all-time monthly record from March 2017.

 

“We continue to sound like a broken record, but what an amazing feat for our airport and our community to not only have a record month, but the best in Ford Airport history,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport President & CEO Jim Gill. “We saw first-hand the traffic in our parking garage and passengers going through our security checkpoints leaving for Spring Break, but we are pleasantly surprised to see a record-breaking month like this.”

 

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March 2017 was previously the busiest month in GFIA history with 256,880 total passengers. In March 2018, 298,487 total passengers traveled through GFIA – breaking the previous record by 41,607 passengers.

 

Each month of 2018 has resulted in record-breaking passenger numbers, also equating to GFIA recording its busiest first quarter in history. Through March 2018, GFIA has served 790,106 passengers- more than the first three years that the airport was in operation combined (1964- 1966).

 

“Our airline partners continue to invest here adding more service, more routes, and larger aircraft to accommodate our growing passenger traffic,” said Gill. “We hope our continued growth prompts even more service to give our West Michigan community more options and competitive pricing when they fly from the Ford Airport.”

 

The Ford Airport is coming off a 2017 that saw over 2.8 million passengers, the fifth straight year of record growth. GFIA has seen growth in 56 of the last 63 months.

 

GFIA has invested in new facilities to accommodate the growing traffic by recently completing Phase One of the Gateway Transformation Project – an upgrade in space, retail, food and beverage, restrooms, finishes, amenities, and customer service offerings. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which centralized and combined security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also included new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, pre and post security business centers, a military welcome center, kids play areas, and much more.

 

Phase Two of the Gateway Transformation Project is slated to begin in Fall 2018 with construction taking place at the airline ticket counters, baggage claim area, and ‘front of house’ area.

 

“As we continue to grow in traffic it is imperative that our facilities keep up with our passenger demand,” said Gill. “Our passengers keep coming back because we listen to their wants and needs, and as they do we will continue to do our part to improve our amenities, technology, customer service and infrastructure. We are excited to see what the future holds, and we hope to add more growth in the years to come.”

 

GFIA monthly passenger statistics are available on our website: http://www.grr.org/history.php.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport Sets More Passenger Records in June

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By Tara Hernandez, Gerald R. Ford International (GFIA) Airport

 

June 2017 was the busiest June on record at the Gerald R. Ford International (GFIA) Airport, coming off a March that was the single busiest month in airport history.

 

June 2017 passengers were up 5.59 percent year-over-year, not only resulting in the busiest June ever, but also securing the title of busiest second quarter in airport history by over 30,000 passengers; and the busiest overall quarter ever serving over 700,452 passengers since the beginning of the year.

 

“We are halfway through 2017 and already seeing incredible record-breaking statistics,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill. “This is a testament to our region, and our growing community along with our airline partnerships. Not only does this June go down in airport history, but 2017 now holds the title for busiest first half ever beating out 2016 by over 86,000 passengers.”

 

Each month of 2017 has resulted in record-breaking passenger numbers, and the Airport has seen ten straight months of record growth.

 

Through June 2017, GFIA has served 1,385,730 total passengers — up 6.6 percent from 2016.

 

“The first phase of our Gateway Transformation Project will be complete at the end of summer, and we’re excited to see what the combination of this redesign along with the growing business in West Michigan does for our numbers,” said Gill. “We hope our continued growth prompts more nonstop service, and more options for those travelers who keep supporting us to achieve these record- breaking stats.”

 

Gateway Transformation Project construction began in December 2015 and is slated to continue through summer 2017. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which opened in June, and centralizes security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also includes new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, kids play areas, restroom and nursing room, family restrooms, pre- and post-security business centers, new retail and food & beverage space, and much more.