Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released its annual data, which shows record growth at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA).
The FAA’s preliminary passenger data, released in July 2017, shows that GFIA is the second busiest airport in Michigan with 1,334,633 enplaned passengers in 2016; more than the 14 smaller commercial service airports in Michigan combined at 1,240,861 passengers.
Along with strong, growing passenger data as the 80th busiest airport in the country, GFIA is also the 85th busiest in cargo operations.
“Our enplanement traffic is up which means our region continues to grow and we continue to see both business and leisure travel increase,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill. “We are now the 9th busiest airport in the Great Lakes region, and with an enplanement increase of 4.20 percent in 2016, we are ahead of the average airport system growth rate of 3.43 percent.”
Each month of 2017 has resulted in record-breaking passenger numbers, and the Airport has seen ten straight months of record growth.
Through June 2017, GFIA has served 1,385,730 total passengers – up 6.6 percent from 2016.
“The first phase of our Gateway Transformation Project will be complete at the end of summer, and we’re excited to see what the combination of this redesign along with the growing business in West Michigan does for our numbers,” said Gill. “We hope our continued growth prompts more nonstop service, and more options for those travelers who keep supporting us to achieve these recordbreaking stats.”
Gateway Transformation Project construction began in December 2015 and is slated to continue through summer 2017. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which opened in June, and centralizes security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also includes new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, kids play areas, restroom & nursing room, family restrooms, pre and post security business centers, new retail and food & beverage space, and much more.
GFIA monthly passenger statistics are available on our website: http://www.grr.org/history.php
About GFIA
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is the second busiest airport in Michigan. The airport served over 2.6 million passengers in 2016 and over 7,000 travelers pass through GFIA each day. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport offers nonstop service to 24 major market destinations with more than 120 daily nonstop flights. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. GFIA generates over $3.1 billion in annual economic output throughout West Michigan, and employs over 1,500 people. For more information on GFIA visit: www.flyford.org or follow the airport on Twitter: @FlyGRFord
