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Long Beach Airport sets record-breaking month for commercial travelers
Long Beach Jul 01, 2024
| Photo courtesy of City of Long Beach
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For the second time this year, Long Beach Airport (LGB) has set a new all-time monthly record for the most passengers to board flights. A total of 189,435 passengers departed from LGB in May 2024, surpassing the previous record of 182,382 set in March 2024.
“These record-breaking numbers—the largest in Long Beach Airport’s century of service—underscore the fact that our award-winning airport is the gateway of choice for travelers in Southern California,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “LGB’s unwavering dedication to delivering easygoing, first-class service exceeds expectations for travelers and fuels economic growth and prosperity for our region.”
Prior to the records set this year, the previous record of 178,836 enplanements was set in July 2018. Measuring enplaned, also known as outbound, passengers is the industry standard because the majority of airport revenue is directly or indirectly related to enplaned passengers.
Commercial passenger enplanements for May represented an increase of 23.1% compared to the same month in 2023. Year-to-date enplanement figures for 2024 through May show an 18.6% rise in passengers compared to last year.
Several key factors have contributed to the surge in passenger traffic, in particular the increased use of LGB’s 58 flight slots. Southwest Airlines acquired 10 additional flight slots in 2023, for a total of 50, and gradually began increasing its schedule.
Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines currently offer service to 24 nonstop destinations around the nation, including Hawaii, which is more nonstop service than at any time in LGB’s 100-year history.
Additionally, recent modernizations that are part of LGB’s ongoing $125 million Phase II – Terminal Area Improvements have enhanced the overall experience from curb to gate, making travel even more convenient for passengers.
“As we celebrate 100 years of service, this is an incredible historic milestone to see more passengers move through LGB than ever before,” said Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “The diversification of our route network, coupled with ongoing infrastructure and service upgrades have positioned LGB to reach new heights as the preferred choice for travelers in Southern California.”
