Long Beach Airport has reported that passenger volumes have exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19. According to data released on Monday, 296,663 passengers traveled through the small, municipal airport in March 2023, up by 2.3% from the same month in 2019.
The airport has had a turbulent few years due to the pandemic and the Southwest Airlines meltdown which caused a significant dip in passenger volumes. However, with March’s figures marking a 120.6% increase over March 2020 and a 158.3% increase over March 2021, the airport is making a strong recovery. In addition, passenger volumes at Long Beach Airport are trending upwards and tracking ahead of last year for the second consecutive month. During the first quarter of 2023, 814,328 travelers passed through the facility, a 1.1% increase from the same period in 2019.
“Long Beach Airport continues to see signs of recovery and strong travel demand as passenger numbers trend upward,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry in a statement. “We’re pleased travelers make LGB their airport of choice.”
In comparison, TSA data showed that passenger volumes nationwide remained nearly 2.2% below 2019 levels in March. Despite this, the Long Beach Airport’s figures for March are a big boost for the facility. The airport’s passenger numbers have been given a boost by Southwest Airlines, which is the leading carrier at the airfield, holding 45 of the 53 daily flight slots. As it continues to pick up additional slots, Southwest announced new destinations. Since June of last year, the company has announced nonstop routes to Nashville, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Orlando, and Kansas City, all of which are now in service. This summer, the airline will begin flights to Colorado Springs, El Paso, and Albuquerque. Furthermore, Southwest announced its most recent additions last month: the airline will offer weekly flights to Portland and Boise beginning this fall.
Along with Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines, travelers can now reach 24 destinations with nonstop service out of Long Beach Airport, which is more than at any time in the airport’s nearly 100-year history. Despite its recent challenges, Long Beach Airport is continuing to recover and prove itself to be a popular choice for travelers.