The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is in growth mode. Passenger arrivals and departures are rising. Consumer surveys indicate growing satisfaction with the facility and its services. That understandably has prompted discussion of upgrades and expansion. Planning now for the future makes sense – but only if the task is undertaken in a way that carefully balances the region’s projected air transportation needs with fiscal prudence.
There’s growing evidence that improvements might be in order. Passenger boardings and arrivals rose to 56,814 in May, an increase of 16 percent over the same month a year ago. Passenger traffic has increased every month this year and did so in almost every month last year. There’s little – at the moment – to suggest the trend will change.
Economic growth in the region is strong, as evidenced by the presence of Volkswagen, Alstom, Wacker and a host of other new businesses and industries in the airport’s service area. That growth and an improving overall economy have increased airport usage. Competitive fares help, too.
One Department of Transportation report indicated that the average drop in the cost of fares in Chattanooga was greater than that at regional competitors like Nashville, Atlanta, Knoxville, Birmingham and Huntsville. The resultant increase in customers already has sparked some changes. More are on the horizon.
Work to make the ticketing area more efficient and user-friendly is under way. In an industry where first impressions are important, the cost of the upgrade should provide a positive, long-term return.