SAN DIEGO–San Diego International Airport served 24 million passengers in 2018, a record-high total and a nearly 10 percent increase over the previous year.
Of the 24 million passengers, more than 1 million were international passengers – a 19 percent increase over 2017. That is also a record for the airport.
In addition to a strong economy and robust tourism industry, several factors contributed to the increase in 2018, including:
· Air Canada adding a third daily flight to Vancouver;
· Lufthansa beginning service to Frankfurt;
· Japan Airlines flying a higher density aircraft and operating at one of the highest load factors of any mainland US-Tokyo flight in their system;
· Edelweiss carrying 49 percent more passengers to Zurich in 2018 than they did in 2017; and
· Southwest adding Puerto Vallarta service in 2018 and increasing service to Cabo.
Overall, 16 new routes were added in 2018, and all but two of the 17 airlines serving the airport experienced an increase in passenger traffic. Southwest added the most passengers, carrying 794,401 more in 2018 than in 2017, followed by Alaska Airlines with 456,360 and United with 306,837.
“This is a tremendous time of growth for not only SAN but the entire San Diego region,” said Kim Becker, President/CEO at San Diego International Airport. “With more people choosing San Diego as their destination of choice, we are looking ahead at projects to accommodate this trend and provide the world-class airport experience our customers and community deserve.”
San Diego International Airport is on course to serve more than 25 million passengers next year. To accommodate recent and projected increases, the airport’s next master-planning phase, the Airport Development Plan is under way. The centerpiece of the ADP is the replacement of 51-year-old Terminal 1 with an attractive, modern and more efficient terminal that will enhance the overall airport experience.