Passenger Numbers are up at RFD

ROCKFORD — Passenger traffic at the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) increased by 2 percent in January but leveled off in February.

According to passenger numbers released by airport representatives Wednesday, there were 874 more passengers flying in January than there were last year, but the airport only transported one more passenger in February than it did in 2014.

“The efforts of airport staff to identify and provide the amenities most desired by our passengers is evidenced by the full flights and steady traffic we see each month," said RFD Executive Mike Dunn in a statement released Wednesday.

RFD reported 20,978 passengers in January and 21,920 passengers in February. In 2014, 20,104 passengers flew out of RFD in January and 21,919 in February.

Airport Deputy Director Amy Ott attributed the increases to more international flights, fewer empty seats on planes and a bigger flight schedule.

"Showing that our international airlines are full and active allows us to grow in the future. Showing that we can fill airplanes up makes other airlines want to come to the airport," Ott said. "It has a cumulative effect. Plus, we're going to be breaking ground on a terminal later this year. ... Exciting on all counts."

Two airlines, Allegiant and Apple Vacations, fly out of RFD to locations in Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.