ECP RANKS AMONG TOP 4 US AIRPORTS IN CAPACITY GROWTH

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (May 6, 2021) – Despite the pandemic, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) ranks number 4 on Simple Flying’s list of airports in the US that have grown the most – with a capacity increase of 58.2%. ECP is among 192 US airports that have more capacity now than before the pandemic began.

1. Key West: +751,317; added seats versus summer 2019, up by 118.2%
2. Sarasota: +1,385,100; +114.2%
3. Bozeman: +878,561; +77.4%
4. Panama City: +576,393; +58.2%
5. Fort Myers: 3,032,756, + 57.8%
6. Destin Fort Walton Beach: +783,317; +55.0%
7. Myrtle Beach: +1,315,291; +53.0%
8. Colorado Springs: +614,612; +49.6%
9. Pensacola: +706,723; +41.3%
10. Fresno: +451,417; +32.4%
11. Boise: +536,694; +17.9%
12. Salt Lake City: +1,963,338; +11.1%
13. Miami: +2,851,748; +10.2%
14. Nashville: +995,057; +7.4%
15. Kahului: +403,822; +7.2%
16. Phoenix: +1,163,061; +3.8%
17. Fort Lauderdale: +895,159; +3.8%
18. Dallas Fort Worth: +1,859,166; +3.5%
19. Charlotte: +808,893; +2.3%
20. Denver: +943,408; +2.0%

While the total US capacity is still down by 128 million seats, ECP will add over 576,390 seats this summer versus the summer of 2019. ECP is one of eight Florida airports in the top-20 list, with Florida as a whole up by a significant 11 million seats.

“Even during a pandemic, the dedication and diligence of our team, our Regional partners in tourism and economic development, and our airline partners helped to take ECP to even higher levels of historic growth,” said Parker W. McClellan Jr., A.A.E., Executive Director at ECP. “Given the passenger numbers we have been seeing in our Terminal, these numbers aren’t surprising.”

ECP has seen a steady increase in passenger travel, with more than 80 commercial flights on Saturdays in March, a number exceeding what the Airport traditionally experiences in its peak season. In March, ECP saw its third-highest travel month in the history of the Airport, with close to a total of 130,000 passengers, a 12% increase over March 2019, before the pandemic began.

ECP airline partners, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, have increased flight activity at ECP this season, including capabilities and new enhanced seasonal routes with nonstop service between popular destinations like Austin, Chicago, Dallas, DC, Denver, Philadelphia, and St. Louis.

Airport officials say peak season began early this year and they anticipate a busy Summer.

“As our region continues to grow increasingly popular as a destination, the Airport gains opportunities to expand its flight capabilities for our passengers. Our facilities and staff are dedicated to providing a premier flying experience and will continue to adapt to the growth each year,” says McClellan.

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About Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) offers some of the region’s lowest average airfares and is located less than 30 minutes from Panama City Beach, Panama City, and the beaches of South Walton. Today, with service from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, ECP provides daily and seasonal flights to worldwide destinations, including nonstop flights between ECP and Atlanta (ATL), Austin (AUS) Baltimore (BWI), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (MDW/ORD), Columbus (CMH), Dallas (DAL/DFW), Denver (DEN), Houston (HOU/IAH), Kansas City (MCI), Nashville (BNA), Philadelphia (PHL) St. Louis (STL), Washington DC (DCA), and more.  ECP provides the Northwest Florida Region with first-class facilities and was strategically developed for major economic development opportunities.  ECP is the gateway to visitors seeking Northwest Florida’s famous beaches. Visit iflybeaches.com to learn more.