In a significant development for Western North Carolina, Asheville Regional Airport has reported a remarkable achievement. The year 2025 stands as the airport’s second-busiest year on record, marking a promising recovery phase after the challenges faced in recent times.
The airport authority revealed that 2,240,877 passengers passed through its gates in 2025. This figure is slightly less than the record set in 2023, when the airport saw its highest traffic ever with about 5,500 more travelers. The data underscores a steady resurgence in the region’s tourism and travel sector following the disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Western North Carolina had been experiencing rapid growth as a popular tourist destination, reflected in Asheville Regional Airport’s double-digit expansion over the years. However, the impact of Hurricane Helene significantly reduced visitor numbers, leading to a temporary setback for the airport. Despite this, strong passenger numbers earlier in 2024 helped the airport maintain a robust yearly performance, although future prospects remained uncertain at the time.
In response to the latest figures, Lew Bleiweis, the airport’s president and CEO, expressed optimism about the region’s progress. He described the 2025 passenger numbers as a “tremendous accomplishment,” emphasizing the community’s resilience and the ongoing support from airline partners. According to Bleiweis, “This performance reflects the strength of our community’s support, the confidence of our airline partners, and the region’s continued appeal as both a destination and a place to live and work.”
The airport’s infrastructure is also evolving to accommodate future growth. A new terminal was unveiled last summer, and the demolition of the old terminal was completed at the end of last year. Looking ahead, the unveiling of a new South Concourse is anticipated by the end of 2027, as part of the airport’s ongoing expansion efforts.
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