Phoenix-area airports see increase in passenger numbers in January

PHOENIX — The number of travelers flying through two major airports in the Phoenix-area has increased over the last month, officials announced this week.

Both the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport have recorded higher numbers of passengers in the month of January.

More than 3.5 million travelers flew in and out of Sky Harbor last month, a nearly three percent increase from a year ago.

And nearly 20,000 passengers used the Mesa Gateway in January, marking fourth straight months of year-over-year growth.

Heather Lissner with the Sky Harbor Airport told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the passenger growth can be attributed to a stronger economy, major events in the Phoenix-area and airlines adding additional flight options.

Lissner said the growth is expected to continue through March, which is typically the airport’s busiest month of the year due to spring training, spring break and “all the different activities that the Phoenix-area has to offer.”

Ryan Smith with Mesa Gateway told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the passenger growth at the airport can be attributed to a greater number of flights.

Allegiant Airlines added eight new destinations from Mesa Gateway late last year and WestJet has expanded its service into Canada.

In all, Gateway serves nearly four dozen non-stop destinations.

KTAR News’ Jeremy Foster contributed to this report. 

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