Airport soaring to best start in years
McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook airport is off to its best start in several years and so far has boarded nearly twice the commercial passengers it did a year ago.
McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport boarded 188 commercial passengers during the first three months of 2016, according to city enplanement data. The 1st quarter passenger counts represent a 97 percent increase over prior year and the best calendar year start since 2013.
The airport board 44, 59 and 88 passengers respectively during the first three months of this year, representing 15, 136 and 165 percent increases over the prior year. The increasing trend is a stark contrast from last year when the airport posted double-digit decreases in commercial passengers for nine out of twelve months.
The reported passenger numbers are still a long way from those of the 2008-2013 era, when the airport averaged more than 400 boarded passengers per quarter. They do, however, represent a rare positive trend since boarded passengers fell by nearly 80 percent in 2014.
The McCook airport boarded 1,978 commercial passengers in 2013 before falling to a mere 402 passengers in 2014, followed by 333 passengers in 2015.
City leaders hope a new airline set to take the reigns this summer, Boutique Air, will restore boarded passengers to previous levels or better.
The McCook City Council also advanced plans earlier this month to construct a new 6-plex hangar at the airport and expect it to reduce a waiting list for approximately 10 aircraft owners interested in space. The bid specs for the project indicate construction could be completed this year.