Passenger numbers at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport were up 17 percent in 2014, a reflection of an improving economy, lower airfares out of Savannah and the well-timed addition of service on JetBlue in the first quarter.
Enplanements — the number of passengers leaving from Savannah — were up 17 percent for the year. Deplanements — the number of passengers arriving in Savannah — grew 16.4 percent.
The airport served 1.9 million passengers in 2014.
Delta Airlines, as usual, accounted for the lion’s share of passengers at 48 percent. American/US Airways was next with 27 percent, followed by United at 14 percent.
JetBlue’s market share continued to soar. The airline began service from Savannah to New York and Boston in February and accounts for only three of the airport’s 43 daily flights, but it posted a 13.5 percent market share in December and an 11 percent share for the year.
Delta, which added 28,330 seats last year, also began offering daily nonstop service to New York’s JFK Airport in February.
“Our projection for 2014 showed a bullish 15 percent increase in enplanements with the knowledge that JetBlue would begin service in February,” said airport executive director Greg Kelly. “It is impressive to see that the actual number came in at 17 percent, well above the industry average.”
The airport’s load factor — the airlines’ measure of how much available passenger capacity is used — ended the year at 82 percent. American/US Air’s was 82 percent, Delta’s was 81.5 percent, United was 83 percent and JetBlue finished the year at 84 percent.
Currently, 43 daily flights are available offering nonstop service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C.
“Not only are we seeing new passengers coming through for business and leisure, but it is good to see an increase in local and regional passengers,” Kelly said. “This is a good sign and, if it keeps up, we will likely see more good things happen in
terms of airfares and air service.
“If you haven’t flown in a while, now is the time to take a trip.”