BHM airport traffic up 69K+, 8% more than this time last year

The number of passengers traveling through the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) during the first four months of 2024 has increased 69,103 over 2023 numbers.

In total,  BHM has welcomed 969,433 passengers from January-April—an 8% increase over the same time period last year. In 2023, the airport counted 900,330 total passengers.

Here is the 2024 to 2023 monthly passenger comparison:

• Jan. 24 — 211,543 vs. Jan. 23 —199,112 – change +6%
• Feb. 24 — 223,075 vs. Feb. 23 —201,583 – change +11% 
• Mar. 24 — 265,449 vs. Mar. 23 —253,415 – change + 5%
• Apr. 24 — 269,366 vs. Apr. 23 — 246,220 – change + 9%

“The traffic increases we’re seeing right now are very encouraging. It’s a sign that people have a hunger to travel. This type of growth generally indicates signs of a strong economy. And the airlines notice. We have a great story to tell the airlines when it’s time to talk about additional routes, more flights, and more seats in the market.”

Kim Hunt, VP of Communications, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

According to BHM, their most popular destination are Orlando, New York (LGA), Denver, Dallas (DFW) and Tampa.

On target to beat 2019 pre-Covid banner year

The strong numbers we are experiencing in 2024 mimic the pre-Covid numbers of 2019, one of BHM’s best years in terms of passenger traffic. What’s more, traffic in the first four months of 2024 are slightly ahead of the same time period in 2019 (955,423). 

• Jan. 24 — 211,543 vs. Jan. 19 — 224,012
• Feb 24 — 223,075 vs. Feb. 19 —215,073
• Mar. 24 — 265,449 vs. Mar. 19 —265,875
• Apr. 24 — 269,366 vs. Apr. 19 — 250,463

Three major airlines share nearly identical market share

If you are curious which airline is the busiest at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Delta, Southwest and American make up nearly 90% of the market.

Below is their April 2024 market share:

• Delta — 32%
• Southwest — 30%
• American — 28%

Southwest did lead the market in January, February and March.

BHM improvements and additional flights

What did BHM do to create a better travel climate? 

As reported by Bham Now, the airport made major dining upgrades in 2023 by adding:

• Tacos Locos
• The Scoreboard Sports Bar 
• Red Mountain Grill

In April, BHM unveiled a newly replanted “Living Wall,” the memorable public art exhibit made by a beloved Birmingham artist, the late Murray “Muff” Johnston. Last month, a mural of the airport’s namesake, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, was also placed on permanent display. 

What’s next for BHM

Will the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport surpass the 2019 pre-Covid near record year? With the recent announcement about additional Southwest flights coming this fall, it could happen.

Meanwhile stay tuned to Bham Now for our report on BHM’s 2nd quarter of 2024.

Have you flown out of BHM lately? Tell us what your experience has been by making a comment on our Instagram and tagging us at @bhamnow!