In 2023, Huntsville International Airport (HSV) achieved a historic milestone by surpassing all previous records for passenger traffic, making it the busiest year in its history.

A total of 1.47 million (1,473,629) passengers journeyed through HSV, representing a remarkable 22.7% increase in traffic compared to the previous year. For context, the last record-breaking year was 2019, when 1,445,365 passengers traveled through Huntsville International.

Various factors have played a pivotal role in driving the surge in passenger traffic at this North Alabama airport, as explained by Port of Huntsville CEO Butch Roberts.

The city of Huntsville’s emergence as the largest in Alabama, offering well-paying jobs and a high standard of living with disposable income for travel, has been a significant contributor. Airlines have responded to this growth by American Airlines, Delta, and United, which have increased seat capacity and the frequency of weekly flights from HSV. Exciting new seasonal routes also contributed to these historic numbers, including nonstop service to Miami, which were introduced in 2023.

According to CEO Roberts, residents from the airport’s extensive 18-county service area in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee are increasingly recognizing the advantages of choosing Huntsville as their primary flight hub. The emphasis on valuing their time and the convenience of local options has played a role in this shift in consumer behavior.

The entry of ultra-low-cost carrier Breeze Airways in 2021, founded by JetBlue’s David Neeleman, has made a noticeable impact. Breeze flights begin at $44 one-way to Tampa, $49 to Orlando, and $89 to Las Vegas.

“Breeze has brought us nonstop flights to desirable locations, and their presence has influenced the fares of the legacy carriers,” said Trey Bentley, Port of Huntsville Board Chair. “This is what we planned for, and this has given us momentum in the commercial air market in our region.”

Looking ahead, airport leadership is optimistic about the potential for further growth in both flights and nonstop services in the coming year.

“Our capacity will allow us to grow without having to make any major investments,” said Bently. “We’re built for future growth without major impacts to the traveler.”