American Airlines taking off at the BHM. (Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport)

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) has welcomed 123,996 more passengers in the first six months of 2024 than it did in 2023, according to numbers released by Alabama’s largest airport.

For June 2024, traffic increased by 6% over June 2023.

Birmingham Airport traffic up 40 consecutive months

Southwest is making some major changes to the way they seat their passengers. (Birmingham Airport)

When you compare monthly passenger traffic to the previous year, BHM has strung together 40 consecutive months of increased passenger travel for each month until February 2021.

Here are the numbers for the first six months of 2024:

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%
May 24 — 296,885 vs. May 23 — 270,855 — change +10%
June 24 — 295,015 vs. June 23 — 277,103 — change +6%

“It’s been a busy summer and every indication is that the traffic growth trend will continue into the fall months. We have a new airline coming, new nonstop destinations, and new choices for travelers in our region. Increasing traffic at BHM will continue to help us make a stronger business case for additional flights in the market.”

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

New Birmingham flights and carrier

As reported by Bham Now Southwest added new direct flights to Nashville and Phoenix to begin in November.

Earlier this summer, BHM added Spirit Airlines to its fleet of carriers. The low-fare airline will initially begin service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida this fall. That one move will provide travelers with one-stop connections to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Along with increasing the number of flights, BHM has also unveiled a newly replanted “Living Wall,” the memorable public art exhibit made by a beloved Birmingham artist, the late Murray “Muff” Johnston and installed a stunning mural of the airport’s namesake Fred Shuttlesworth.