Although the current financial year is only halfway through, MAF has already exceeded the total passenger numbers for the 2022-23 fiscal year by 10.8%.
MIDLAND, Texas — So far in 2024, Midland International Air and Space Port has broken its own records for the number of flights to and from Midland.
According to the City of Midland, the number of passengers at the airport in fiscal year 2023 (July 2022 to June 2023) was 312,414. Although only half of the current fiscal year (July 2023 to June 2024) has passed, the total number of passengers has increased by 10.89% to 346,451.
In March alone, travel increased by 8.1%.
- March 2023 = 55,590 passengers
- March 2024 = 60,482 passengers
But Midland said it can't take all the credit for the frequent flights.
“The whole country is going up because people are traveling more with the end of the coronavirus and travel restrictions. And the local economy is going up as well, obviously there's a lot of people working here, but not necessarily living here. It might not be,' and then they go home for the weekend,” said Justin Ruff, Midland Airport Director.
As the number of arrivals and departures increases, the 25-year-old building will need to be able to accommodate travellers, and regular maintenance is key.
The city is currently working on a mixed-use project that will include restroom renovations, a new security checkpoint with at least three lanes, a dedicated pre-screening lane and a new parking lot.
This is all part of the goal of renovating the airport to accommodate more people.
With the return of Delta Air Lines, the airport has reached new heights.
On Monday, Delta Air Lines celebrated its first service to the airport in nearly a decade. The plane took off from Austin and arrived in Midland around noon. Passengers were greeted at Gate 5 with a water cannon show and sweet treats provided by airport staff and Delta representatives.
Midland City Council At-Large Robin Poole was one of the first to say how great it would be to have more travel opportunities to the Permian Basin.
“I think the airport is one of the crown jewels of our community,” said Councilman Poole. “This is an amenity that many cities don't offer their residents. This Delta flight is just another cog in the wheel that allows us to provide a truly great amenity – a new amenity for our residents.”
Airport Director Ruff added that having Delta Air Lines return to the airport will provide additional opportunities for Midland passengers, which is exactly what the city wants.
“We want people in the Midlands to be able to travel freely and not have to go to another airport to get to their destination,” Airport Director Ruff said.
Delta Air Lines will operate three daily flights from MAF starting Tuesday, April 23rd.
If progress continues as it has, more gates and more airlines could soon arrive at Midland International Air and Space Port.
