By the numbers
34,123: Lovell Field passenger boardings in May30,821: Boardings a year ago10.7: Percent gain over May 2014Source: Chattanooga Airport
Chattanooga Airport's passenger traffic is sizzling with double-digit percent gains fueled in large part by Delta Air Lines as the carrier continues to return to the use of mainline jets in the city.
May boardings of 34,123 at Lovell Field soared nearly 11 percent over a year ago as nearly all the airlines serving the airport posted higher numbers, figures show. Only Allegiant Air reported lower boardings in May, down 2.6 percent.
"We're very encouraged," said Terry Hart, the airport's chief executive. He told Airport Authority members Monday that boardings have climbed 13.6 percent so far this year to 153,777 passengers.
Delta boardings surged in May, pushing its market share beyond 50 percent at the airport.
Hart said Delta some days is flying four mainline jets into the city with planes having as many as 150 seats. Delta typically flies nearly a dozen flights daily to Atlanta and to Detroit.
"Delta has stepped up to the plate," Hart said.
After an 18-year absence, Delta two years ago returned mainline service between Chattanooga and Atlanta with one flight. At that time, it wasn't certain that 125-seat flight would stay after the end of the year.
In 1995, Delta pulled its jets and provided service with Delta Connection carriers such as Atlantic Southeast Airlines. For years after that, the airport experienced on-again, off-again problems with ASA service.
Dan Jacobson, the Airport Authority chairman, cited the record figures the airport has posted over the past year and a half, hitting an all-time high mark in 2014 of 352,459 passenger boardings.
"We're looking forward to a busy travel season," he said.
Airport officials have attributed the passenger traffic gains to competitive air fares out of Chattanooga and more people choosing to fly from Lovell Field rather than airports in Atlanta, Nashville and Knoxville.
On Monday afternoon, the airport's long-term parking lot was already full. Earlier this spring, airport officials approved plans for $3.4 million in parking lot improvements, including adding 300 spaces. Hart said new spaces should start opening up next month.
In addition to more passengers flying Delta, carriers American Eagle and US Airways also have recorded gains, officials said.
Hart said as American and US Airways work through their merger, he expects aircraft size to increase in Chattanooga.
"They're trying to get everything put together and figure out what to do with their hubs," he said.
Hart said he expects some days to see larger 70-seat planes flying to US Airway's Charlotte, N.C., hub.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.