Home » Louisville airport sees capacity increase and new, returning destinations

Louisville airport sees capacity increase and new, returning destinations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Momentum continues for the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) with four nonstop destinations taking flight this month as capacity reaches its highest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Southwest Airlines will launch new, nonstop seasonal service to Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) on Thursday, March 11. Announced in January, this daily flight is aboard a 143-seat Boeing 737 making it easier than ever to get to the beach.

American Airlines resumed daily service to the Ronald Reagan Washington, D.C. National Airport (DCA) on Thursday, March 4, following the route’s suspension last year. Allegiant also restarted their seasonal, nonstop service to two favorite vacation destinations on Friday, March 5 – Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) in the Destin/Fort Walton area and Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV).

“As we head into Spring Break travel, we’re very optimistic about the future of air service at SDF,” said Dan Mann, executive director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “As more people are traveling again, the airlines are responding with more capacity and service. These are very positive signs as we look to a robust summer travel schedule.”

With the addition of these four destinations, airline schedules for this month show that SDF has 63% more capacity compared to last year and is the highest it has been since the beginning of the pandemic. Notably, it signifies a 45% growth in capacity from just last month.

“These new and returning destinations coupled with Spirit’s launch and Allegiant’s service to Charleston, both set to begin in late May, leave us hopeful this is just the beginning of record setting air travel to and from Louisville,” Mann said.

Seven commercial airlines offer nonstop service to more than 30 nonstop destinations from Louisville. SDF is home to UPS Worldport, moving millions of tons of product each year, making it the 2nd busiest cargo airport in North America and 4th in the world. Aviation is an economic powerhouse for the region, generating $10.4 billion in economic impact every year. One in 8 jobs is generated by the airports and their aviation partners.