ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lehigh Valley International Airport soared over expectations this July with a record-breaking passenger traffic total, nearly 12% higher than last year’s peak.
LVIA announced Wednesday 101,988 passengers traveled through the airport in July 2024, an 11.7% jump from July 2023’s 91,272 passengers, and the highest traffic total on record for a single month.
Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA) Executive Director Thomas R. Stoudt called the increased passenger volume “noticeable,” with the Transportation Security Administration reporting nine of the tope 10 busiest days ever in the airport’s Screening Checkpoint since 2002.
“The passenger count would have been even higher, however multiple flight cancellations occurred from the CrowdStrike incident on July 19th that resulted in national and global ground stops being issued by Allegiant, American, Delta and United."Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA) Executive Director Thomas R. Stoudt
Prospectively, that total could have been substantially larger, he added.
“The passenger count would have been even higher, however multiple flight cancellations occurred from the CrowdStrike incident on July 19th that resulted in national and global ground stops being issued by Allegiant, American, Delta and United,” Stoudt said.
By the numbers, American jumped 18.4% and Allegiant was up 18.2%. Meanwhile, Delta decreased by 7.7%. and United declined 12.1% from last July.
According to Flight Business Intelligence, overall airline traffic in the country escalated in July, with the potential to reach over 8% higher in August 2024 as compared to the same month last year before slowing down in the fall.
“In July 2024, U.S. air traffic saw a good growth, with domestic and international travel surpassing pre-COVID levels. While leisure travel cooled to last year’s levels and may decline further, business travel experienced a resurgence but is expected to taper off post-summer. Overall, air traffic trends indicate strong momentum, though some segments may slow down in the coming months.
Cargo decline and new food court options
Conversely, air cargo processed through the airport in July 2024 dropped 10.4%, with a total of 19,359,176 pounds of freight compared to 21,613,546 pounds in July 2023.
LVIA also announced a concessions overhaul update, joining Tailwind Hospitality, Inc. to celebrate the opening of The Drafthouse at ABE in July.
The Drafthouse, which replaces the PA Pub in the Wilfred M. “Wiley” Post, Jr. Concourse, boasts an “elevated comfort food menu [which] will showcase a selection of breakfast foods, a variety of appetizers, hearty handheld sandwiches, plated entrees, and a kid’s menu to please the pickiest eaters.”
The Drafthouse operates daily from 5 a.m. until the final departure.
In addition, ABE is looking forward to an early September opening for sandwich shop Which Wich, Director of Public and Government Relations for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority Colin Riccobon said. The shop is known for their customizable menu featuring over 50 sandwiches, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
