Ford Airport sets passenger traffic record for fourth consecutive year

GRAND RAPIDS — The West Michigan region’s largest airport continues to set records for passenger traffic.

Executives at Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) announced yesterday that 2016 marked the fourth consecutive year of record traffic for the facility, despite a large construction project aimed at preparing the airport for future growth.

Last year, more than 2.6 million passengers traveled through the facility. Overall, passenger traffic increased 4.06 percent compared to the prior year.

However, the pace of that year-over-year growth dipped slowed compared to the 9.21 percent increase in 2015.

“This is a testament to the growing West Michigan community, and the investment our airline partners have made at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport,” GFIA President and CEO Jim Gill said in a statement. “This growth further justifies the need for our Gateway Transformation Project to accommodate the increasing passenger demand, and the need our airlines have in gate space, amenities, and customer service offerings.”

The Gateway project started in late 2015 and upon completion later this year will make for a consolidated security checkpoint as well as new amenities including new food, beverage and retail options.