Airport Passenger Traffic Up in December, Slightly Down in 2006

Date:  January 22, 2007
Contact:  Valerie Wise, Air Service & Business Development Manager
: vwise@wichita.gov
: (316) 946-4700

Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT) welcomed 1,460,331 passengers in 2006, down 1.77% from 2005.  However, December passenger numbers were up 6.22% in 2006, compared to December 2005, with 128,690 total passengers.  The last three months of 2006 had an increase in passenger traffic. 
  
 “A decrease of 1.77% total passengers for the year is respectable when you consider that the capacity (number of airline seats) in Wichita was down an average of 3.8% for the year, ” said Valerie Wise, Air Service and Business Development Manager at Mid-Continent. “The decrease is largely a result of reductions in flights nationwide by two major airlines enduring Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Skyrocketing jet fuel prices have also forced airlines to raise ticket prices, causing a reduction in travel.”

Wise added that Mid-Continent passenger traffic has been increasing since October, a promising trend.

Mid-Continent Airport provides non-stop service to 10 destinations via 12 airlines, all of which are major airline hub airports, so nearly any destination in the country is reachable from Wichita with only one stop.  Passengers enjoy a stress-free environment, assistance from the helpful Courtesy Crew, convenient parking, free wireless internet and food, beverage and retail concessions in the gate areas.  For more information about ICT, visit the airport’s website at www.flywichita.com.

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