2013 Second-Busiest Year at Akron-Canton Airport
GREEN, Ohio -- A total of 1,723,956 passengers flew into and from the Akron-Canton Airport last year, making 2013 the second-best year in its history, reports Rick McQueen, president and CEO. Only 2012 was busier with more than 1.8 million customers choosing the airport.
"Although we were down slightly compared to 2012, our low fares and relaxing airport experience continue to draw travelers from throughout the region," McQueen said Monday. "We expect 2014 to be another top-five year as well."
Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest) carried 872,156 passengers during the year. Delta AirLines carried 389,268, a 10% increase; US Airways 299,600, an 11% increase; and United Express 86,869, up 2%.
Of note this year, Southwest Airlines will continue its Akron-Canton conversion of AirTran flights to Southwest equipment beginning in March. By June 8, 70% of the combined carriers flights will be aboard Southwest Airlines and available for purchase only online at Southwest.com. Destinations that will convert to Southwest include LaGuardia in New York, Atlanta, Boston, and Orlando (all destinations currently being operated aboard AirTran Boeing 717s). By the end of the year, all Akron-Canton flights will be on Southwest Airlines as the integration of the two airlines will be complete.
Low airfares have saved travelers in northeastern Ohio $958 million in the last 16 years, McQueen estimated. For the third consecutive year, the airport was ranked as the 11th-most affordable airport in the United States and tops in the state of Ohio, according to a June 2012 study from CheapFlights.com.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our twice-monthly print edition and to our free daily email headlines.