News Summary
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) has achieved a remarkable milestone by welcoming over 2 million passengers in 2024 for the second consecutive year, despite a slight decline due to weather disruptions. With ongoing community support and airline expansions, the airport continues to thrive as a key transportation hub. Future projects like the AVL Forward expansion aim to enhance passenger experience and accommodate growth. AVL plays a vital role in the local economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant income for the region.
Asheville Regional Airport Soars Over 2 Million Passengers Again!
Asheville, North Carolina—what an exciting time it is for the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)! This charming airport is making headlines for the second consecutive year by welcoming over 2 million passengers in 2024. With a total of 2,174,125 travelers, AVL has proven it’s continuing to grow and become a vital transportation hub in western North Carolina.
Oh, The Weather!
Though this year’s numbers are slightly down—about 3% decline compared to 2023—there are some understandable reasons behind this. One big culprit was the disruptions caused by Storm Helene which played a role in reducing passenger numbers. Even so, AVL had such a significant uptick in travelers last year, with a whopping 22.2% increase in 2023, easily surpassing the 2 million mark for the first time.
Local Love for AVL
Residents in the Asheville area truly cherish their local airport. Many prefer flying from AVL—it’s close, convenient, and offers a variety of destinations. Airlines are also stepping up to meet that demand; they’ve upped flight frequencies, transitioned to larger aircraft, and launched exciting new nonstop routes, including a direct flight to Orlando International Airport (MCO). How convenient is that?
Building Towards the Future
Amid the weather-related challenges, the airport has continued to thrive thanks to strong community support and ongoing growth. One of the most anticipated projects is the AVL Forward expansion, which is currently underway and is expected to introduce a brand new north concourse in summer 2025. This new addition aims to accommodate the historic growth of passenger numbers and enhance the overall travel experience for everyone flying in and out of AVL.
A Boost to the Local Economy
The significance of AVL goes beyond air travel; it plays an essential role in the local economy! According to the North Carolina Division of Aviation’s latest biennial report, AVL is responsible for supporting approximately 22,745 jobs and generating over $1 billion in personal income for the region. When you consider that the total economic impact of the airport is estimated to be around $3.9 billion, it really underscores how vital this airport is for local business and leisure travelers alike.
Connecting the Nation
Asheville Regional Airport is currently the third-busiest commercial service airport in North Carolina, servicing five airline partners: Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United. Together, these airlines provide nonstop service to 27 unique destinations across the United States, making AVL a true gateway for travelers in the region.
A Bright Future Ahead
Despite the slight dip in numbers this year, Asheville Regional Airport shows no signs of slowing down. With caring community support, smart operational strategies, and exciting expansion plans, AVL is primed to continue thriving as a critical transportation hub in western North Carolina. So whether you’re jetting off for a business meeting or a weekend getaway, you can be confident that your local airport is on the rise, welcoming visitors and providing exceptional service, one flight at a time!
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Additional Resources
- Trib Papers: Asheville Regional Airport Soars
- Blue Ridge Now: Historic Growth at AVL
- WLOS: Asheville Regional Airport’s Expansion
- Google Search: Asheville Regional Airport
- Wikipedia: Asheville Regional Airport
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
