ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Sixty-seven years ago, Frank Sinatra sang, “Come Fly With Me.”
In 2024, air travelers were listening.
Lehigh Valley International Airport experienced a record number of passengers last year, according to a Wednesday news release from the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
The airport served 1,012,240 passengers last year — an increase of 8.7% from 2023, when the airport served 930,946 passengers.
The record number of passengers marked the airport’s highest traffic total in two decades, it said.
“Just before the [coronavirus] pandemic, the airport was inching closer to reaching this milestone with the arrival of new air service and the opening of the Allegiant Crew Base. And now we’re here!”Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, in a release
“Just before the [coronavirus] pandemic, the airport was inching closer to reaching this milestone with the arrival of new air service and the opening of the Allegiant Crew Base,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, in the release.
“And now we’re here!”
LVIA’s record passenger number is reflective of an overall nationwide uptick in air travel.
According to preliminary data from the Federal Aviation Administration, 16.8 million flights were in the nation's airspace last year, an increase of about 500,000 from 2023 and the highest FAA tally since 2019.
Allegiant Air is back
Wednesday's announcement came as Allegiant Air announced the resumption of flights from ABE to Denver and Nashville as of May 22.
The resumption of flights from Allentown to those cities are listed on the airline’s website — www.allegiantair.com.
“On behalf of ABE, thank you to our loyal passengers and the entire region for choosing us when booking your air travel."Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
In addition to serving a record number of passengers in 2024, LVIA also experienced many accomplishments last year:
- Recognized as one of the best small airports in the U.S. by Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards
- Launched Allegiant nonstop service to Orlando International Airport
- Tailwind Concessions celebrated the opening of the Drafthouse at ABE and Which Wich Superior Sandwiches
- Installation of a new passenger boarding bridge at Gate 3
- Expanded community outreach: An historic B-29 Superfortress arrived at ABE for public tours and the ABE Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Unit hosted a Junior Fire Camp
“On behalf of ABE, thank you to our loyal passengers and the entire region for choosing us when booking your air travel,” Stoudt said.
“This is also a testament to the strong commitment of airport staff and stakeholders that deliver the highest level of customer service every day.”
Stoudt was not ready to predict 2025 would eclipse the record year of 2024.
“I never like to prognosticate on flights,” he said. “But as carriers come on, that’s good news in general.
“Still, there are other factors that affect air travel. There are so many variables. The good news is, as we start the year, we see good signs like the service from our legacy carriers is strong.”
