The North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport got some good news recently that appears to validate statements the airport is in a strong growth mode. According to a United States Department of Transportation Report regarding eastern region airlines, only one airport among 59 had more growth in the total number of passengers from 2013 to 2014.

 

The figures, which do not include charter flights such as those involving West Virginia University and other Big 12 schools or special programs the airport has done in the past to boost numbers, shows the NCWV had an increase of 178 percent between the two years. Only the airport in New Castle, Delaware, showed higher growth at a whopping 314 percent.

 

“This is definitely a positive for the airport and it shows our feelings on growth have been correct. When you take into account that other state airports such as Charleston and Huntington, the two biggest in the state, are both down and you see us growing substantially, I think it speaks volumes,” said NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock.

 

According to the figures in the DOT report, the NCWV Airport had 6,351 passengers in 2013 when the charter flights and other promotions were removed that safely put them over 10,000 passengers for the year. The 6,351 passengers represent those that utilized Silver Airlines, which is the airport’s daily, FAA-subsidized daily service provider to Washington Dulles International Airport.

 

In 2014, when Silver was joined by Allegiant, which offers twice weekly trips to the Orlando-Sanford International Airport in Florida, the numbers rose drastically. In 2014, the total finished at 17,675.

 

While Rock said the numbers prove the growth he and members of the Benedum Airport Authority – the airport’s governing body – have spoken about during the last few years, he also said it helps on another front.

 

“We take this data and present it to other airlines that we’ve been working with to land additional destination service. We’ve shown information like this to a number of carriers, including Allegiant, and hope that it sways them to consider Bridgeport when they’re looking to expand service,” said Rock.

 

There was also additional good news in the report. Among the 59 airports listed, the NCWV Airport ranked first in the drop in cost of the average fare. While most of that can be attributed to the low-cost service provided by Allegiant, it still is a feature in the cap of the airport, Rock said.

 

“It shows we can provide a fair price to those who choose to utilize our airport. It adds value to our customers and that’s very important,” said Rock.

 

According to the same date released, the airport’s 2013 average fare was $213. The average far in 2014 was $114. The change was a decrease of 45 percent, which was more than double the next closest facility in Jamestown, New York.

 

“We think the airlines we deal with notice these things and they notice in many cases we’re exceeding expectations based on the size of our market,” said Rock. “You can’t tell for sure because there are so many really good poker faces out in the business world. Still, we know we’re heading in the right direction and we hope this produces continued service the community wants and additional service in the future.”

 

During several Airport Authority meeting, Rock has said he has worked with others – including the airport’s marketing consultant Sixel – to land additional services. Among the destinations mentioned are Myrtle Beach, Tampa-St. Petersburg and even Las Vegas. Of those three, or any others that may arise for discussion, Las Vegas seems the most unlikely, airport officials have said in the past.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock, while the middle photo shows Silver Airlines and the bottom picture is of an arriving Allegiant flight.