AVL announces another record year of passenger service

(Fletcher, N.C.)  Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) served a record number of passengers in calendar year 2015:  392,713 passengers enplaned at the airport in 2015, and 394,324 passengers deplaned, which is an overall 4% increase compared to 2014, the previous record year of passengers served.

The air service offerings at AVL have changed in the past few years.  The airport continues to be served with a strong number of frequent daily flights to major hubs offered by legacy airlines American, Delta and United.  At the same time, Ultra Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) Allegiant Air has continued to grow its presence in the market.  In 2015, Allegiant added its fifth non-stop destination (Palm Beach International Airport), and designated AVL as a hub of operations, basing two aircraft, crews and a maintenance facility at the airport.

“We have a robust compliment of air service at Asheville Regional Airport provided by our four excellent airline partners,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director.  “Simultaneously, our region uses AVL, which perpetuates the strength of the air service in our region.”

AVL was identified as the best connected non-hub airport in America in 2013 by MIT's International Center for Air Transportation, and has enjoyed continued growth since that time, now classified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a small-hub airport. Seats in the market have been strong, and a look ahead shows continued growth on the horizon, beginning with Allegiant’s new non-stop service to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in May.

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