The General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport closed out 2024 with its highest December passenger count on record.
The airport reported a total of 66,150 people flew through PIA last month, marking a 22% increase over the previous year and nearly 10,000 more passengers than 2019’s previous high mark for December.
Gene Olson, Director of Airports for the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria, said the performance “really exceeded expectations” and resulted in PIA’s second best month ever.
“The airlines have noticed the increased desire for flying from PIA and have responded by increasing the flights and seats available,” Olson said in a news release. “We’re very pleased that Central Illinois travelers have supported the airlines by using those available seats.”
The strong December pushed PIA’s total passenger count for 2024 to 687,601, bolstered by earlier monthly records in August, September and November. The yearly total came just 1,815 shy of the all-time high mark set in 2019 – a mere 0.23% difference.
