Beth Stephens said she flies out of Chattanooga Airport frequently and likes that it’s close to her house, parking is reasonable, and she moves rapidly through the security checkpoint.
“I don’t have to do a lot of walking,” she said Tuesday at Chattanooga’s airport.
Passengers like Stephens who choose to fly at Lovell Field are helping boost boardings in Chattanooga to record levels. Last year, Chattanooga Airport posted its sixth consecutive year of record traffic, blowing past last year’s mark by nearly 10%. The airport boarded 554,050 passengers in 2019, according to the latest figures.
Airport officials have credited the city’s growing economy along with added flights and competitive fares for the sharp gain in passenger boardings, up 90% since 2010.
Chattanooga Airport Chief Executive Terry Hart cited the passengers who choose to fly in and out of the city. For years, many Chattanooga area travelers drove to other airports such as Atlanta, Nashville and Birmingham to fly.