Springfield's airport has recorded a 10-year high for the number of passengers served.
More than 174,000 passengers used Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in 2014. That's the highest number since 2005, The State Journal-Register in Springfield reported Monday.
Airport Executive Director Mark Hanna said a big reason for the increase is new Florida service offered through Allegiant Air. The leisure carrier reported nearly 47,000 passengers at the airport last year — a 71 percent increase over 2013.
American airlines also saw larger passenger numbers, with nearly 53,000 traveling between Springfield and Dallas-Fort Worth.
More than 70,000 travelers flew United Airlines between Springfield and Chicago. That's a 3 percent decrease. Airport officials say the drop was caused by harsh winter weather, schedule changes and a September fire at an Aurora air traffic control tower.
O’Hare International Airport regained the nation’s busiest airport crown in 2014 — based on total flights — according to data obtained Wednesday from the Federal Aviation Administration.
