RECORD-SETTING YEAR: 2024 Passenger Traffic at CAE soars past 1.3+ million, best year since 2019
January 15, 2025In calendar year 2024, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) saw 1,362,374 passengers through the airport – edging out the record only previously achieved in 2019 when the airport saw 1,353,788 passengers.
“This is a significant accomplishment for the airport – inclusive of our dedicated staff, tenants, concessionaires and airline partners,” said Interim President & CEO and CFO for CAE, Gregg Hornsby. “We all play an instrumental role in the day-to-day operations of the airport and being able to reach this goal is noteworthy.”
Over the years, CAE has slowly but surely regained passenger traffic after the 2020 pandemic downturn, with more of the community opting to fly locally. This uptick in enplanements – passengers choosing to begin their air travel journey from CAE – grew rapidly between 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the total number of passengers that traveled through the airport was 1,234,487. The very next year – that number increased by nearly 11%.
Record Passenger Traffic in First Half of 2024
CAE was on track to exceed its 2019 passenger traffic record early in the year. Between January and June of 2024, CAE saw 646,013 passengers through the airport. In May alone, the airport saw 123,449 passengers – an increase of 19,182 passengers over May of 2023 and surpassing the previously highest month in the history of the airport set back in 2019.
“Anecdotal feedback tells us that added air service on both American Airlines (offering seasonal nonstop service to Miami) and Delta Air Lines (offering a second nonstop option to New York City), easy check in, convenient parking options, and upgraded food/beverage and retail concessions contributed to our traffic recovery”, said Hornsby.
2025 has the potential to bring even more passengers through the airport as a fourth airline carrier will be starting in May. Allegiant will begin service to both Orlando/Sandford and Fort Lauderdale airports with nonstop service on Thursday, May 15 and Thursday, May 22, respectively. Tickets for both flights are now on sale and can be booked directly through the airport’s website.
For more information about CAE, to book flights for your next trip or to stay up to date on what’s happening at your local airport, please visit www.FlyCAE.com.
About the Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Now providing 26+ daily flights with nonstop service to 11 major airports in 10 cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York City (LGA), Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. (Dulles and Reagan National) and beginning in May of 2025, Orlando/Sanford and Fort Lauderdale, 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 1.3 million passengers in 2024, CAE is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Allegiant 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 parking and save on the spot by visiting https://flycae.com/airport/