Yearly Midland Airport Passenger Numbers Lag Behind Most of Last Decade

Oct. 29—The turnaround in activity at Midland International Airport is taking place, but there is still a long way to go.

The number of passengers leaving Midland International increased by 8.9 percent year over year, according to numbers provided by the city of Midland. Still the 435,895 passengers from the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 was nearly 33 percent behind the 650,056 in fiscal year 2018-19. The yearly total also trailed every fiscal year from 2010-11 to 2018-19.

The airlines' troubles during the COVID pandemic are well-chronicled. Midland received a double-whammy with the downturn of the oil industry for much of 2020 and some of 2021. However, prices are increasing, and so is the number of airline passengers. The city reported 43,208 in September. That was a 64.7 percent increase compared to September 2020. The month total was also more than the 40,175 in 2017.

The city also reported yearly increases in fuel sales (7.6 percent) and parking revenues at Midland International. (27.6 percent (27.6 percent).

Southwest again was the No. 1 airline at Midland International in 2020-21 in terms of the number of passengers. Southwest had 183,211 or 42 percent of the 435,893 airline passengers. American Eagle was second with a 30-percent share. United was third. Those same percentages were consistent during the month of September.

Airline passengers leaving Midland International

2020-21: 435,895

2019-20: 400,133

2018-19: 650,056

2017-18: 581,721

2016-17: 502,886

2015-16: 470,785

2014-15: 527,315

2013-14: 529,357

2012-13: 499,170

2011-12: 488,138

2010-11: 463,874

2009-10: 426,648

September boardings

2021 43,208

2020 26,235

2019 53,424

2018 47,708

2017 40,175

2016 38,302

2010 37,785

Midland International report for September

Passengers

September 2021: 43,208

September 2020: 26,235

Percent difference: 64.7 percent

Fiscal year to date: 435,895 (8.9 percent increase compared to FY 2020)

Total passengers

(those boarding and exiting an airline)

September 2021: 84,456

September 2020: 49,070

Percent difference: 68.0 percent

Fiscal year to date: 740,601 (1.7 percent increase compared to FY 2020)

Fuel sales

September 2021: 446,784

September 2020: 313,594

Percent difference: 42.5 percent

Fiscal year to date: 5,135,759 (7.6 percent increase compared to FY 2020)

Parking revenues

September 2021: $410,619

September 2020: $197,208

Percent difference: 108.2 percent

Fiscal year to date: $3.866 million (27.6 percent increase compared to FY 2020)

Source: City of Midland

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