CLE Ends Year on High Note

February 29, 2016

Press Releases

Passengers Increase as CLE Continues to Recover

Cleveland, February 29th, 2016 – Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) has compiled the final passenger numbers for 2015 and CLE is able to report increased passenger traffic over the previous year. In addition, CLE has experienced several other positive developments.

“After the United Airlines dehubbing in July of 2014, many thought that our best days were behind us, however to the contrary, CLE has experienced an unprecedented recovery in the past 18 months,” said Interim Airport Director Fred Szabo.

CLE has surpassed expectations and accomplished an increase in passenger traffic that continues an upward trend. This recovery is exceptional and is directly attributable to the value CLE’s airline partners see in the Cleveland and Northeast Ohio travel market as well as the strong originating passenger base.

The total passengers for 2015 were 8,100,073, up 490,669 or 6.45% over the end of the year in 2014. Scheduled departing seats at CLE are also up 6.48% or 310,045. This increase is directly linked to the fact that the new flights experienced recently utilize larger aircraft as opposed to the smaller regional jets utilized in the past.

The Department of Transportation’s latest analysis of average airfares reveals that CLE experienced a 21% reduction in airfare, from $444 to $352. Nationally, airfares dropped 6% with an average cost of $372.

These statistics clearly indicate a couple of things: first, the recovery of CLE is strong and second, a tangible commitment of $62 million that is improving the infrastructure, including the terminal façade renovation, parking canopy enhancement, Airport signage and Airport wide in-line baggage system. The Northern Ohio marketplace served by CLE is vibrant and provides market demand that quantifies the growth being experienced.

Correction: Due to an airline reporting error last month, we reported an incorrect total passenger count. The corrected YTD November numbers are: 7,429,162, which was up 415,293 or 5.92% over 2014.