XNA enplanements top 1.1 million in 2024

by Jeff Della Rosa ([email protected]) 196 views 

Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) exceeded 1.1 million enplanements, or passengers flying out, for the first time in 2024, XNA officials announced Friday (Jan. 17). XNA attributed the record year to rapid Northwest Arkansas growth and a surge in air travel demand.

The airport’s previous enplanements record was 991,489 in 2023. Its pre-pandemic enplanements record was 922,533 in 2019. Enplanements rose by 15.78% to 1.14 million in 2024 from 2023. The 2024 number was up 25% from 2019.

December enplanements increased 28.9% to 101,976 from 79,110 in the same month in 2023. December marked the fifth month in 2024 that monthly enplanements exceeded 100,000. The other months were June, July, September, and October, which was a record month. October enplanements rose by 22.57% to 110,456 from 90,115 in the same month in 2023.

XNA, located in Highfill, exceeded 1 million enplanements in 2024 in November when they hit 1.04 million.

“Surpassing the 1 million enplanement mark is a significant achievement for XNA and Northwest Arkansas,” said Aaron Burkes, CEO of XNA. “It reflects the incredible growth of our region and the rising demand for air travel. We’re committed to providing a smooth and convenient travel experience for our passengers.”

XNA has six airlines and 26 nonstop destinations. New nonstop destinations include Detroit and Salt Lake City, both offered by Delta Air Lines; Philadelphia, offered by American Airlines; and Gulf Shores, Ala., offered by Allegiant Air.

Some of the ongoing projects at XNA include constructing a new air traffic control tower nearly three times taller than the existing structure, which was built in 1998 as a temporary structure; and the Escape Lounge, which is set to open in February and will offer travelers coffee, alcoholic beverages, and hot and cold dishes.