Signs of Life at CIRA


Central Illinois Regional Airport posted a 5 percent increase in passenger traffic in January 2018. 

That's according to the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority' February 13 meeting minutes. Officials credit increased leisure traffic on Allegiant Air to to both Orlando-Sanford and St. Petersburg/Clearwater. American Eagle's Dallas/Ft. Worth flights, which were upgraded to larger, 76-seat CRJ900s from 50-seat Embraer 145s in March 2017, showed strength as well.

Business travel demand remains soft. Reduced capacity to Atlanta (Delta Connection) and weather issues with Chicago-O'Hare (American Eagle) were cited as reasons for declining traffic to those hubs. Delta Connection's Minneapolis/St. Paul flights showed slight growth.

FedEx Express cargo volume continues to strengthen, posting a double-digit increase four months in a row, with an 18 percent increase in January. 

- David P. Jordan

Comments

  1. UnknownApril 24, 2018 at 2:25 PM

    David - Any insight as to what is causing the increase in Fed Ex growth?

    Not sure if BMI will sustain passenger growth. AA reduced the DFW flights to 44 seat ERJ 140's briefly in March (they are back to a CRJ-900's now), and they have re-timed the third ORD flight to be later, resulting in fewer chances for connections especially outbound (the flight departs BMI at 8:00 pm and arrives in ORD at 9:00 pm).

    I think the only real chance for sustained growth in more seats to MSP, and additional Allegiant flights.

    ReplyDelete
  2. David P. JordanApril 27, 2018 at 2:43 PM

    Hi Ken,

    FedEx is expanding its service territory out of its CIRA facility. That's consistent with its reasons for moving its flights from PIA.

    ReplyDelete

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