Peoria Int'l Airport is Booming
PIA is still on a role.
WMBD Radio 1470 posted an article late this morning, detailing the great success Peoria International Airport has had in recent months. It handled 72,774 passengers in May 2025 and 78,892 in June. The latter is 20 percent higher than the same month in 2024! All airlines have added capacity - Allegiant Air by 10 percent, American Eagle by 20 and United Express by 67.
Additional capacity and new service (Denver) reflects surging demand. Pricing is likely more reasonable, i. e. the airlines are not discouraging passengers from using small airports like PIA.
Director of Airports, Gene Olson, said the facility is attracting passengers from outside the Peoria region. I would interpret that as Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Springfield metro areas. As scheduled commercial airline service at those cities is quite limited these days, Peoria is benefitting from travelers who will drive some distance, but avoid Chicago or St. Louis if they can.
Director of Airports, Gene Olson, said the facility is attracting passengers from outside the Peoria region. I would interpret that as Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Springfield metro areas. As scheduled commercial airline service at those cities is quite limited these days, Peoria is benefitting from travelers who will drive some distance, but avoid Chicago or St. Louis if they can.
PIA will break its 2019 passenger record (689,416) this year. I predict, barring catastrophe (i. e. 9/11, COVID, etc), the final figure for 2025 will be well above 700,000 and could possibly crack 800,000.
With that in mind, don't be surprised if the airport authority begins preliminary work (funding sources, design, etc) on a parking deck soon.
- David P. Jordan
Parking deck is much needed. And I think they will easily eclipse 800k this year assuming no catastrophic events (as you mentioned)
ReplyDeleteI agree that a parking deck is needed but the upfront costs for construction and unlikelihood that many travelers won’t use It are valid concerns.
DeleteA parking deck won't replace all parking, just a percentage. Surface parking space is more frequently maxed out than it used to be, and a parking deck is the next step to increase much needed capacity.
DeleteIt’s undoubtedly inevitable and just ‘ a matter of dollars and sense ’ . Stay Tuned!
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