Des Moines airport passenger count at record pace

DES MOINES (AP) — The Des Moines airport is serving passengers at a record pace that could top 2 million this year.

The Des Moines Register reports that industry officials attribute the passenger growth to an improved Iowa economy and existing air carriers adding capacity.

Business is expected to improve even more when low-cost provider Southwest Airlines begins operations in Des Moines on Sept. 30.

More than 820,500 travelers passed through the Des Moines airport from January through May, up nearly 10 percent from last year. That puts the airport in a position to surpass 2004, its best year, when it served 1.99 million passengers.

Passenger growth in Des Moines counters the national trend. The Federal Aviation Administration says the number of flights nationally has dipped slightly.