In 2014, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport experienced its largest passenger growth in nine years, according to a CVG press release. Total passenger traffic through CVG in 2014 increased by 3.1 percent over 2013, while local passengers increased 5.9 percent, representing 300,000 additional passengers.
CVG is the ninth-largest cargo airport in North America and 40th in the world. Cargo traffic also grew by 10.2 percent in 2014. In times when airports are seeing decreases in cargo traffic, CVG experienced double-digit growth and continues to be the fastest-growing cargo airport in North America.
“Three years ago, we at CVG set out to diversify the carrier offerings available from CVG with the objective of growing our customer base and making affordable pricing options more available.” said CEO Candace McGraw. “We are now seeing the positive results of those efforts. These increases would not be possible without our passengers who support us daily and without the tremendous support of the tri-state region. We are proud of our growing CVG success story.”
“The evolution of CVG into a multi-carrier, multi-use airport operation with emphasis on serving the entire tri-state community continues to show substantial progress”, said William T. “Bill” Robinson III, CVG board chairman. “We want to thank our passengers, airlines, tenants and community partners for being a significant part of our growing success story. We look forward to even more growth in 2015.”
CVG leads the region with nonstop service to 56 destinations with 168 peak daily departures. In 2014, CVG announced 23 new nonstop flight segments. These announcements make CVG a Top 10 market for Frontier Airlines while being the fastest-growing airport in Allegiant Air’s 15-year history. Frontier and Allegiant added 341,000 low-cost carrier seats to CVG. In addition, Ultimate Air Shuttle added new five-day-a-week service to Chicago Midway. CVG is the largest origin airport on the Vacation Express network with four destinations.
Passenger and Cargo Metrics
· Served 6 million passengers in 2014
· Welcomed 300,000 new passengers through the front door
· Local passenger traffic increased 5.7 percent – the first growth in annual traffic in nine years
· Total enplanements increased 3.1 percent
· Total cargo tonnage increased 10.2 percent
· CVG is the 9th largest cargo airport in North America and number 40 in world
Air Service Development
· Announced 23 nonstop flight segments
· CVG is now a Top 10 market for the Frontier network
· CVG is the fastest growing airport in Allegiant’s 15 year history
· New CVG carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air added 341,000 low cost carrier seats to CVG during 2014.
· Ultimate Air added new service between CVG and Chicago Midway operating five days a week
· CVG became the largest origin airport on the Vacation Express network with four destinations.
· CVG offers nonstop service to 56 destinations with 168 peak daily departures – more than any surrounding airport
Operational Excellence
· Completed annual FAA certification inspection with zero discrepancies (“perfect score” by FAA)
· Completed annual TSA security inspection with zero discrepancies (“perfect score” by TSA)
· Completed 2013 Financial audit with no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies
· Completed runway 18L/36R runway rehabilitation
· CVG executed a full-scale Disaster Drill in September as mandated by the FAA
Customer Experience
· Recipient of World Airports Award from Sky Trax as Best Regional Airport in North America for 4th consecutive year. Also named #1 World’s Best Domestic Airport serving 5 to 10 million passengers and #6 in world for Staff Service Excellence by same organization
· Received Air Cargo Excellence award from World Cargo magazine
· Implemented Blip Track technology at checkpoints to measure and manage wait times. First airport in US to utilize this technology
· The new cvgairport.com offers real time flight status, parking availability, security wait time and weather
· CVG partners with ArtsWave to present free performances showcasing the arts of the region to enhance the passenger travel experience
Business Development
· Lowered landing fee from $3.97 to $2.75 for 2014 and 2015, and established a fund for demolition of Terminals 1 and 2 with the savings
· Completed rehabilitation of food court and initiated upgrade of airport-wide concessions program. Concession and parking spend per passenger has consistently grown throughout 2014
· Leased a 47 acre parcel to Dermody indicating an interest in land development around CVG and growth in our non-aeronautical revenue
· Parking options and amenities were expanded to include electric car charging stations, golf carts for passenger assistance and reserved spaces in the garage
Employees
· Employees and concession partners raise $40,000 for United Way and JDRF
· Tim Larocque, manager for Paradies Shops at CVG, won manager of the year
· Brian Ickenroth, a 28-year employee of CVG, won Snow Operator of the Year Award at the American Association of Airport Executives International Snow Symposium Awards
· Tom Helmis, public service agent, initiated a relationship with Circle Tail for them to train service animals at CVG
· Adam Kressler along with Customer Service developed the SOAR program which support families and prepare individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders for the airport experience. SOAR was the recipient of the Jack Rubinstein Foundation’s 2013 Imagination and Courage Award.