MIDLAND, Texas — So far in 2024, the Midland International Air and Space Port has been breaking their own records when it comes to flights into and out of Midland.
According to the City of Midland, in the 2023 fiscal year (July 2022 - June 2023), the airport had a total of 312,414 passengers. Only halfway through the current fiscal year (July 2023 - June 2024), the total number of passengers sit at 346,451, which is a 10.89% increase.
For the month of March alone, travel increased by 8.1%:
- March 2023 = 55,590 passengers
- March 2024 = 60,482 passengers
However, the City of Midland said they can't take all the credit for all of the frequent flying.
"The nation as a whole is going up also because with the end of COVID and restrictions on travel people are traveling more. Then our local economy, of course we have a lot of people who work here, but maybe don't necessarily live here and travel back to their homes on the weekends," said City of Midland Airport Director Justine Ruff.
With more departures and arrivals, the 25-year-old building has to be able to keep up with its travelers, and routine maintenance is the key to that.
The city is currently working on a multi-facility project that includes a restroom renovation, a new security checkpoint with at least three lanes, a dedicated pre-check lane and a new parking garage.
This is all part of the goal to revamp the airport and accommodate more people.
The return of Delta Airlines has also led the airport to new heights.
On Monday, Delta Airlines celebrated their first flight into the airport after being gone for almost a decade. The flight took off from Austin and landed in Midland around noon. Passengers were greeted with a water cannon showing and sweet treats handed out by airport staff and Delta representatives at Gate 5.
Midland City Council At-Large member Robin Poole was one of the first to say how exciting it is to bring more opportunities for travel to the Permian Basin.
"I think that the airport is one of the crown jewels of our community," Councilwoman Poole said. "It's an amenity that a lot of cities aren't able to offer their residents. This Delta flight is just one more cog in the wheel where we are really able to offer a great amenity, another added amenity to our residents."
Airport Director Ruff added that having Delta back at the airport gives the passengers of Midland more opportunities, and that is precisely what the city wants.
"We want people in Midland to have the freedom to be able to go where they want to go and not have to go to another airport to get there," Airport Director Ruff said.
Delta will have three daily flights out of MAF starting on Tuesday, April 23.
If progress continues to take off like it has been, the arrival of more gates and more airlines could be coming to Midland International Air and Space Port soon.