Those of you who fly frequently will likely find this story from the Associated Press of interest.

but our mid-year report card is pretty good!

July 2016 was the busiest month in the history of the Springfield airport — the total passenger count was 98,112. That’s up 4.6% from the previous record month, which was July of last year.

Overall, for the first seven months of this year, total passenger numbers are up 1.6%. If growth continues until the end of the year, 2016 will be the best year in the airport’s history.

LITHIUM BATTERY CONCERNS
 

Safety concerns over lithium batteries continue to grow. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a safety alert urging cargo and commercial airlines “to conduct a safety risk assessment to manage the risks associated with transporting lithium batteries as cargo.”

AUTUMN IN HAVANA?

An agreement approving airline service between the United States and Cuba was signed this morning in Havana.

Need a passport, or is the one you have expiring soon? If so, the U.S. State Department urges renewal ASAP. That's because the department expects an avalanche of renewals this year and next — so many that it may take longer than the typical six weeks to get a new passport.

PreCheck starts at SGF February 17. That word comes from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

If you’re approved for PreCheck you’ll be able to use a dedicated lane at the security check point and receive “expedited screening.” That’s jargon that means you won’t have to remove your shoes, belt, or “light jacket.” And you don’t have to take liquids and computers out of the bag.

2015 was a record year at the Springfield airport — the total passenger count was 919,044. It demolishes the old record set in 2005 of 888,738, and is a 9% increase over 2014 passenger numbers.

Airline growth is always good, but the new year, and the growth that comes with it, presents challenges — we need your help to make sure we stay on track.

A couple of weeks ago the airlines serving Springfield turned in their passenger numbers for November — those numbers all but confirm that 2015 will end up being the busiest year in the history of the Springfield airport.

In our recent post about the slight downward trend in fares Jason Blevins offered this on Facebook:

“You (the airport) have a direct influence in fare rates. Your contracted landing fees and SKY HIGH fuel rates drive up the costs.” 

Here’s something you haven’t heard about …

In Springfield, and Northwest Arkansas, the airlines are charging less; fares are going down.

Yes, you read that right. Fares are down. They've been going down for the past two years. They’re not down much, but they are down. Take a look at the numbers. The cost of fare is shown as “one-way” because that’s how the industry tracks fare data: