2018 could be called a "comeback year" for the Quad City Airport. Thanks in part to a strong December, passenger traffic rose 6 per cent after several years of declines.
Executive Director Ben Leischner says that string of traffic declines meant the airport was at risk of losing some flights, and maybe airlines.
"By stopping that recession and that drop, we've stabilized to where we're going to be able to retain our existing service but also we'll be able to look at new services in the future, or increased frequency, or larger aircraft, so people in the community should see it as a positive."
Leischner says the increase in passengers last year shows the local and national economies are doing well.
He's planning to promote the Quad City Airport to aerospace and aviation companies.
"We have assets and resources here at the airport that so many communities around the country would be envious of - a 10,000 foot runway that can land any airplane in any weather conditions, from around the world. And we have a lot of space for capacity to build large facilities."
Nearly 356,000 passengers went through the airport last year - up 6 per cent or 22,000 over 2017.
Traffic in the Quad Cities fell for Delta last year but rose for American Eagle, United Express, and Allegiant - Allegiant's traffic jumped 21 per cent.
