Airport Numbers Rise

January 24th, 2024 | Airport News

Highest passenger total since 2004; plus, record-breaking air cargo activity

(Hanover Township, PA) – Significant infrastructure investments and additional air service options were only part of the success story for Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) in 2023.

ABE reported its highest passenger traffic since 2004, and a fourth consecutive year of record-breaking air cargo activity.

“The Airport certainly packed a lot of noteworthy events and celebrations into twelve months. It’s really a credit to the dedicated staff and stakeholders at ABE, plus the strong support of our loyal passengers and leaders from across the region,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, Executive Director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA). 

930,946 passengers traveled through ABE in 2023 – a two percent increase from 2022 – and the highest level of passenger activity since 2004.

Calendar Year        Passengers      Percentage increase      Calendar Year        Passengers

       2023                     930,946                       2.0%                           2022                    912,256

2023 produced plenty of accomplishments which include:

• Opening of the new TSA Checkpoint and Terminal Connector ($38 million)
• Launch of nonstop service to Denver, Colorado and Melbourne, Florida
• Tailwind Concessions beginning operation at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)
• Hosting the 43^RD Annual Aviation Conference of Pennsylvania at The Hotel Bethlehem
• Expanded community outreach – First Annual Lehigh Valley Plane Pull (Special Olympics Pennsylvania), unveiling a painted mural in the pedestrian tunnel (ArtsQuest), packing over 1,800 food boxes for Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania

275,605,699 pounds of air cargo processed through ABE in 2023 – a 15.8% increase from 2022.

“The Airport Authority is working with Aviation Facilities Company (AFCO) to address an immediate need for additional air cargo capacity – which has seen approximately an 800% jump since 2014. With the Airport located within the Critical Urban Freight Corridor, we anticipate the numbers will continue to trend upward,” said Stoudt.

Calendar Year       Cargo (lbs.)         Percentage increase       Calendar Year        Cargo (lbs.)

        2023               275,605,699                    15.8%                             2022                 237,945,266