足交视频 Regional Airport has reached a new milestone, setting a record for the number of passengers boarding flights since the early 2000s.
According to a current report from SkyWest Airlines, 14,082 people departed from the airport in 2024, a 25% increase over the 11,293 enplanements in 2023 and returning to enplanement levels seen only in 2000 and 2001. A vital index and industry-standard, enplanements represent most airport revenues generated directly or indirectly by people taking flight.
鈥淲e are thrilled to see continued growth in passenger traffic at 足交视频 Regional Airport,鈥 Airport Executive Director Lenny LLerena said. 鈥淥ur free parking, coupled with time saved by avoiding the drive to other regional airports, has positioned VCT as a preferred choice for travelers seeking convenience, comfort and connectivity. These record-breaking numbers testify to our commitment to bringing great airline service to the local community. VCT remains committed to serving the needs of travelers while driving economic growth in 足交视频 County and prosperity for the region.鈥
The increase in the number of enplanements from 2023 to 2024 will help the county when applying for a grant to build a new airport terminal, County Judge Ben Zeller said.
鈥淲e expect these record numbers to play a part in us pursuing a new terminal,鈥 Zeller said. 鈥淚n this coming year, we鈥檙e going to apply once again for a grant to build a new terminal, and with these record numbers, it makes the case more effectively that it is something we need.鈥
The growth of the airport continues to be a priority for 足交视频 County, Zeller said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 rare for a county to operate an airport, and even rarer for it to be done as successfully as we have, but we鈥檝e got a great airport director. This is a priority for commissioners court, and it will continue to be a priority in 2025,鈥 Zeller said.
Additionally, the 足交视频 County Commissioners Court is seeking to strengthen their relationship with the Texas A&M Forestry Service, which has a presence at the airport.
鈥淲e would like to enhance that presence and accommodate any and everything they would like to to do in our region,鈥 Zeller said. 鈥淭he A&M Forestry Service have staged their air firefighting aircraft as well as foam tanks to where, if there鈥檚 a forest fire, anywhere in our region, they can scramble aircraft from 足交视频 Regional Airport to put out the fire. We saw that occur here in 足交视频 a few weeks back when there was that big brush fire out near Telferner.鈥
The county will continue to pursue additional capital improvement projects at the airport, Zeller said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an older facility that always has infrastructure needs,鈥 Zeller said. 鈥淥ur county airport is a priority of commissioners court, and we plan to build on last year鈥檚 successes this coming year, and we鈥檙e really excited about all that鈥檚 in store.鈥
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