Expansion Considered as XNA Traffic Soars

Passenger traffic at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport saw enplanements increase from last year and rebound from lower February numbers.
The airport had a total of 52,248 passengers boarding flights in March. Of those, 50,465 boarded commercial flights, an increase of 5 percent from 48,055 in March 2006.
Passenger traffic in March surged 33.8 percent compared to a February that was down 3.1 percent from the previous year.
For the first quarter of 2007, paid enplanements are tracking slightly above last year by 1.4 percent, from 124,931 to 126,661.
Airport officials will keep a close eye on air traffic while considering expansion. The board of directors is considering adding a second-level concourse that would cost about $20 million.
The airport is already spending $4.43 million to expand its ticket lobby.