Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) is celebrating the ninth consecutive year of passenger growth at the airport in 2018.

FWA once again broke the all-time record for passenger traffic traveling through the airport in 2018. The airport initially broke the record in 2016, only to break that record again in 2017, and again this past year. The original traffic record was set in 2000. FWA saw 381,139 enplaned passengers,or passengers traveling out of the airport on outbound flights in 2018. This is an increase of 3.49% in passenger utilization over 2017.

In addition to record passenger traffic, FWA also saw a number of improvement projects take place over the course of 2018. Most recently, construction was completed on a new terminal entrance road leading up to the main terminal building. This new road introduces a new entrance into the airport campus, as well as new entrances for all three parking lot options. In addition to the new entrance road, FWA also introduced a new Valet Parking Service. Valet Parking costs $16 per day and operates curbside at the terminal building. On the air side of the airport, Runway 5/23 underwent the first of two phases of a rehabilitation project, with the remaining following in 2019.

Looking ahead to 2019, airport staff has many projects on deck. While many of the planned projects will not directly impact the general public, all airport projects aim to bring improvements to locations and processes within the airport – which in turn will improve the overall passenger experience. The primary project that staff will be working towards is the architectural design of a terminal expansion project with the construction programmed for calendar year 2020.

“We are thankful to the residents of Northeast Indiana for utilizing their airport,” said Scott Hinderman, Executive Director of Airports. “As the region’s population grows, the airport board and staff are working hard to make sure FWA is prepared to accept the additional traffic. It is a continuous effort, working with our airline partners to expand existing routes or begin unserved routes from our market. It is exciting for the community’s airport to celebrate nine years of growth and we look forward to another year of growth in 2019.”