Passenger and cargo traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced notable changes in November 2024, recording a decline in passenger numbers but an upsurge in certain cargo categories, as reported by the City of Austin. According to a release from the city's official website, the airport saw a 7.41% decrease in passenger traffic compared with November 2023, with 1,769,872 passengers traveling during the month.
Detailing specific airline performance, Southwest Airlines observed a 4.7% decrease in passengers, while American Airlines experienced a significant 27.5% drop. On the flip side, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines saw an increase of 8.9% and 4.4%, respectively. In contrast, Spirit Airlines witnessed a steep 36.7% decline, whereas Frontier Airlines remarkably surged by 306.7%. The total number of enplanements in November 2024 also fell by 6.82%.
When it comes to air cargo, the airport processed a total of 23,262,296 lbs. during November 2024, which is 4.17% less than the same period in the previous year. However, international air cargo took a different trajectory, rising by 15.40%. Air Transport International led the increase in cargo carriers, with its numbers climbing by 5.1%. Moreover, Sun Country Airlines made a significant leap, carrying 70.5% more cargo than in November 2023. Atlas Air also displayed growth with a 10.9% increase.
The cumulative figures for January through November 2024 bring to light a more mixed picture. Passenger traffic over this period dropped by 1.76%, with enplanements dipping marginally by 1.72%. On the year-to-date cargo front, the airport saw an 8.30% uptick, with international cargo skyrocketing by 26.64%. Despite challenges in the airline industry, carriers like Air Transport International and Sun Country Airlines continued to outperform, marked by 29.1% and 84.8% increases, respectively. Aircraft operations, including commercial and military, were down by 5.34% for the same 11-month period.
From a general aviation standpoint, operations remained relatively steady, with a slight uptick of 1.50% in November, contrasting with the downward year-to-date trend, where there was a 6.92% decrease in operations. The shift in the air travel and cargo landscape at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport reflects ongoing adjustments in the industry and varying consumer travel habits.
