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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

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Chattanooga Airport eyes infrastructure improvements

Staff photo by Abby White / A passenger boarding bridge with "CHA" branded on the side is pictured July 16, 2025, at the Chattanooga Airport. Airport CEO April Cameron gave a tour of the facility, showing the infrastructure projects that are underway.
Staff photo by Abby White / A passenger boarding bridge with "CHA" branded on the side is pictured July 16, 2025, at the Chattanooga Airport. Airport CEO April Cameron gave a tour of the facility, showing the infrastructure projects that are underway. Staff photo by Abby White / A passenger boarding bridge with "CHA" branded on the side is pictured July 16, 2025, at the Chattanooga Airport. Airport CEO April Cameron gave a tour of the facility, showing the infrastructure projects that are underway.

Anticipating a more than 30% increase in seat capacity in July, August and September, the Chattanooga Airport is the country’s fastest growing small hub airfield this summer.

Lovell Field is outpacing its peers, which are averaging 4% growth, according to airport officials.

That’s compared to the same time period last year. Small hub airports are those that receive 0.05-0.25% of the United States’ annual commercial airplane boardings, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Expanded service from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines as well as the addition of three new destinations served by Spirit Airlines helped spur the jump, officials said.

The jump comes at a time when local aviation leaders are undertaking several projects designed to boost capacity at the Chattanooga Airport and improve the experience for visitors.