PIA Reports Record 2019 (and United Express Brings Larger Jets)!



Peoria Int'l Airport handled 689,416 passengers in 2019. 

That number that beats 2018's 672,594 passengers, which itself was a record. So traffic grew 2.5 percent in 2019. More details can be found in the airport's press release here. December's 56,328 passenger tally was itself the year's eighth monthly record. 

More good news is that Republic Airways dba United Express is introducing larger planes in the Peoria to Chicago-O'Hare market beginning with an evening arrival at 6:56 on Thursday, February 13 and 5:45 morning departure on Friday, February 14.

An Embraer 170 equipped with 70 seats will supplement four other roundtrips operated by Trans States Airlines (one using an Embraer 145) and Air Wisconsin (three using Canadair RJ200s).

The larger equipment will be here for at least a couple of months, according to this Peoria Journal Star story. If business is sufficient, then use of the Embraer 170 will continue. 

- David P. Jordan

Comments

  1. BamBamFunkhouserFebruary 1, 2020 at 3:49 PM

    From united.com looks like in Feb it is a E170, then a CR7 in March then TWO E175s for May. I didnt check every day, just randomly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BamBamFunkhouserFebruary 1, 2020 at 3:54 PM

    Actually looks like it is only through May. In June it goes back to all 50 seaters. Maybe those schedules arent finalized yet so maybe the E175s will continue. But also might be a shortage of pilots for ERJ-145s and CRJ-200s for the spring and the 170s/175s are covering temporarily.

    ReplyDelete
  3. KenFebruary 10, 2020 at 6:33 PM

    Hey David,

    I noticed BMI released their 2019 passenger numbers. Total passenger 421,500, up 15.6%. Frontier certainly is responsible for most if not all of that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David P. JordanFebruary 12, 2020 at 12:29 PM

      Thanks, Ken! I've long been frustrated with the late release of CIRA's numbers, which seems odd given the increase in traffic.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Black Band Distillery Expands to ex-Cat Tire!

Image
Black Band Distillery, presently operating at 1000 SW Adams Street, is planning to expand to the vacant property at 2400 SW Washington Street. That is according to WCBU News .  Although the article omits it, this property has a long history with the local distilling industry. National Cooperage & Woodenware Co. constructed a plant there in 1900, though a predecessor apparently had begun barrel making operations there c. 1885. This firm survived Prohibition (1920-1933) because the barrels could also be used for packing corn syrup, condensed milk, cider, vinegar, liquid chemicals, flavoring extracts, etc. Hiram Walker & Sons, which purchased one-third to one-half of its production, gained control of National Cooperage in 1946. A new four-story expansion began in the fall of 1964 only to be destroyed by a tornado on September 14, 1965. Operations resumed at the start of 1966 and the entire plant was replaced in 1967-1968.  Changing economics led to closure in 1972. Caterpillar Tra
Read more

TP&W-to-TZPR Transfer 10-14-23

Image
I happened upon this train pulled out of the TP&W's East Peoria Yard onto the Peoria Sub. I quickly concluded it was a switch crew making up a transfer to TZPR, and was rewarded for waiting around. Radio chatter indicated nine loads and 50 empties. The first three cars contained zinc oxide for Union Pacific (via Tazewell & Peoria RR, rather than via direct interchange). Embedded in the consist were six covered hoppers likely containing phosphate fertilizer for Mosaic Crop Nutrition in the Pekin Bottoms. This is the second time I've seen empty tank cars with Incobrasa Industries markings. Normally, I'd expect loads moving westbound. Everything else is empties for TZPR-served industries and interchange to BNSF.  CAPTION: A Toledo, Peoria & Western train, probably an EP-X (East Peoria Extra switcher), handles Tazewell & Peoria RR-bound traffic across E. Washington Street in East Peoria, Illinois midday Saturday, October 14, 2023. TPW 5010, TPW 2105 and HESR 34
Read more

Peoria Int'l Airport Awarded $500,000 In SCASD Program (UPDATED X2)

Image
Peoria Int'l Airport has been awarded $500,000 for assistance in regaining a link to a western connecting hub. The grant, announced Friday, is part of the Small Community Air Service Development program (SCASD). Funds are used to offset financial losses by the airline providing service. On many instances, funds aren't needed. The Airport Authority prefers Denver, Houston, Phoenix or Salt Lake City. Denver and Houston are hubs for United Airlines, Phoenix is a hub for American Airlines and Salt Lake City is a hub for Delta Airlines.  It is difficult to imagine that American Airlines would offer Peoria-Phoenix nonstops when passengers can make good connections through Dallas/Ft. Worth. Houston was already tried and didn't work out due to load factors. I don't see Delta Airlines being interested in Peoria-Salt Lake City nonstops.  Both American Airlines and United Airlines provided letters of support. So if Houston, Phoenix and Salt Lake City are out, then Denver is likel
Read more