In the first meeting of 2016 of the Benedum Airport Authority, the governing body of the North Central West Virginia Airport got some really good news about 2015.

 

According to Airport Director Rick Rock, more than 25,000 passengers flew out of the airport this past year. The final total was 25,326, which represents the highest total since 1980.

 

Rock also said that it was the third highest documented number in airport history, with records going back to 1978. Last year, the airport also had one of its best years with 22,788 passengers.

 

“We moved close to 50,000 people through this terminal in 2015,” said Rock, referring to passengers also flying into the airport that don’t count toward enplanement numbers. “I think that’s an amazing accomplishment.”

 

It wasn’t too long ago that the airport couldn’t even crack 10,000 passengers. Following the attacks on 9/11, passenger numbers tumbled and the NCWV Airport had several years – until 2008 – when it couldn’t crack 10,000 passengers a year. Reaching 10,000 passengers annually is a key goal of the airport, which Authority President Ron Watson said is one reason the numbers reported Wednesday by Rock were important.

 

“It’s really a big deal on a number of fronts. First, having numbers that high means you don’t have to worry about qualifying for the Airport Improvement Project (AIP) dollars that allow us to do needed upgrades here by surpassing 10,000 passengers,” said Watson. “In the past we had to worry about getting there. If you don’t get there, you don’t get $1 million through the AIP.”

 

While anything above 10,000 means $1 million in FAA AIP dollars that can be used for various projects, such as the recent terminal renovations, anything under 10,000 means an annual stipend of $150,000, Watson said.

 

“That’s a substantial difference and limits what you can do,” said Watson.

 

Watson also said those numbers, which he said shows growth over the last few years and one of the airports regionally that is growing, can help elsewhere. And that “elsewhere” could be new airlines for destination and daily flights.

 

“We’re always looking to enhance service and these numbers show the airlines out there that we’re someone to look at going forward as we continue to add flights and try to lure a major airline carrier in here,” said Watson. “With an 8,000 foot runway here in North Central West Virginia I think we’re showing we’re a facility that needs to be reckoned with for those considering a new market. This shows we can put butts in seats.”

 

The airport’s numbers include its daily flight service to Washington Dulles International Airport, charter flights (primarily those involving West Virginia University and Big 12 teams), and Allegiant Airlines destination flights to Orlando and Myrtle Beach.

 

More from this meeting in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.com.

 

Editor's Note: Rick Rock is shown in the top photo, while Ron Watson, foreground and Kris Cinalli are shown in the bottom photo.