CAE sees record-setting passenger traffic in Q1 and Q2 of 2024

During the first part of 2024 the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) saw 646,013 (January – June 2024) passengers through the terminal. In May alone, the airport saw 123,008 passengers – an increase of nearly 19,000 passengers over May of 2023 and exceeding the previously highest month in the history of the airport set back in 2019.

“We’re seeing a significant surge in passenger traffic through the airport this year and we couldn’t be happier to have such a lively and active terminal every day,” said President & CEO, Mike Gula. “Historically, we see a dip in passenger traffic at the start of the year with an uptick starting in late Q1. This year, it has been a consistent increase of travelers from January 1 to today.”

In 2019 CAE ended the year seeing roughly 1.3 million passengers through the airport – the highest traffic CAE had seen in 10 years. This year, CAE is currently on track to end the year at or just above its 2019 numbers.

By way of a month-to-month passenger traffic comparison:

Additional air service and route options also played a factor in the increased passenger traffic. In June, American Airlines restarted its nonstop seasonal service to Miami (with Saturday only service through August).

Re-establishing and surpassing pre-pandemic passenger traffic has been the main goal and priority for CAE.With a focus on improving efficiencies and updating amenities from the garage to the airlines’ gates, as well as ensuring passengers’ experience in the terminal is smooth and easy, the end goal – and hope – of the CAE team is to encourage continued use and loyalty of our local airport by just that… locals.

For additional information about CAE, please visit www.FlyCAE.com.

About the Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Now providing 26+ daily flights with nonstop service to 10 major airports in nine cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York City (LGA), Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. (Dulles and Reagan National), Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), a two-time Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accredited facility, continues to be a major economic driver for the Midlands region. Welcoming over 1 million passengers in 2022, CAE is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines and serves as a regional cargo hub for UPS and served by cargo carrier, FedEx. Want to save money the next time you park at the airport? Pre-book your parking and save on the spot by visiting https://flycae.com/airport/parking/.