Eastern Iowa Airport breaks passenger record in 2017 with 1.14 million

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Eastern Iowa Airport set a new passenger record with 1.14 million people this past year.

According to a Monday news release, the airport in 2017 surpassed the previous record for passengers - 1.13 million - set in 2014.

Last year marks the eighth time in airport history to see ridership surpass one million passengers.

'Our airline partners invested in the (Eastern Iowa Airport) market by adding service and capacity, and travelers responded by choosing to fly (into and out of the airport),” Airport Director Marty Lenss said in the release.

Last year included additions such as American Airlines's two-daily nonstop flights to Charlotte, N.C., and Frontier Airlines's service to Las Vegas and Orlando International.

In addition, United and Delta upgraded several flights to larger aircrafts, the release said.

'When an airline invests in a community and adds service and/or seats, it's vital the region supports the enhanced investment and demonstrate to the airlines the strength our market,” Lenss said.

Eastern Iowa Airport total passengers for the past decade:

' 2017 - 1,143,335

' 2016 - 1,084,310

' 2015 - 1,105,625

' 2014 - 1,132,991

' 2013 - 1,042,291

' 2012 - 984,884

' 2011 - 880,645

' 2010 - 918,367

' 2009 - 946,717

' 2008 - 991,512

' 2007 - 1,060,120

l Comments: (319) 339-3175; mitchell.schmidt@thegazette.com