Lincoln Airport sees highest passenger numbers in 20 years
Lincoln, Neb. (KLKN) — In July, Lincoln Airport saw its highest passenger numbers in 20 years.
A total of 17,757 passengers boarded flights out of Lincoln Airport during the month.
Rachel Barth, the airport’s director of marketing and air service, said much of that growth comes from new service from Breeze and American, along with continued strong service from United.
“Just a combination of, of course, the new additions, United still performing really well, strong flights out of here,” Barth said. “Just I think all of them finally together. We saw our highest passenger numbers in 20 years.”
Breeze started flying out of Lincoln in December. American followed in June, adding service to Dallas and Chicago, with Phoenix coming in December.
With Husker football and volleyball seasons coming up, those new flights will give fans more options for game-day travel.
But even with more options out of Lincoln, price can still play a role in where travelers choose to fly.
Channel 8 looked at round-trip fares out of Lincoln and Omaha for two Husker football and two volleyball away-game weekends. At the time the fares were checked, Omaha was cheaper for three of the four.
Barth said the ticket price isn’t the only cost travelers should consider.
“Yes, maybe there might be a more affordable flight at a different airport, but when you start looking at that convenience factor and really factoring in parking and your time and everything else, a lot of times it ends up being a wash,” Barth said.
She said gas, parking, drive time and the convenience of landing closer to home can all factor into the decision.
The airport is even seeing some people who live closer to Omaha choosing to fly out of Lincoln.
As more people use the new service, Barth said that can help show airlines there’s demand for more options out of Lincoln.
Barth said those higher passenger numbers are also being felt beyond the terminal.
The airport is seeing more revenue from parking and concessions, and more travelers can also mean more business for rental cars, hotels and other businesses around Lincoln.
