Portland Jetport sets all-time passenger record

File Photo / Tim Greenway Airport Director Paul Bradbury stands in the new wing of the Portland International Jetport in February 2012. The Jetport announced today that it set an all-time record for traffic in 2016.

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The Portland International Jetport today reported it reached an all-time record year for traffic in 2016, with 1,785,649 passengers.

That total represents a 3.2% increase over 2015’s 1.73 million passengers.

The milestone also marks a 1.3% increase over the previous record of 1,762,925 passengers set in 2008.

“Reaching our all-time record year is a real win for the Portland Jetport,” Paul Bradbury, airport director, said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Here in the New England region we have seen significant consolidation of air service into Boston-Logan. Portland and Boston are the only two New England airports at all-time record levels. This is a real testament to the exceptional destination that Portland is, and to our economy, which accesses the global air transportation system from PWM.”

The Jetport’s all-time record year was credited to a culmination of several air service partners adding larger aircraft and greater frequency in and out of PWM. Some highlights:

American Airlines added a second daily Charlotte flight.

Elite Airways added non-stop service to Sarasota, Fla., and expanded its Melbourne, Fla., service.

Southwest Airlines extended its summer schedule through November.

United Airlines added larger aircraft on Chicago, Newark and Washington Dulles routes.

“The great news is that Portland is well positioned for additional growth in 2017,” said Zach Sundquist, assistant airport director. “Looking forward, we have 5.5% more seats available in the first six months of 2017 than we had in the first six months of 2016.”

The Jetport also announced it is soliciting input from Maine businesses “to sharpen its air service development focus.” Business travelers are invited to visit biz.portlandjetport.org to add their travel needs to the jetport’s air service wish list.