TRAVERSE CITY — Travel numbers continue inching upward at Cherry Capital Airport where business is literally picking up.
May passenger numbers through Cherry Capital were up 5.2 percent from a year ago to more than 25,000 travelers. Year-to-date passenger numbers for the first five months of the year totaled 105,212 travelers, up 2.8 percent from 2011 which marked the airport's first increase in passenger travel since 2005.
Airport Director Kevin Klein expects June travel numbers to come in at least 2 percent above last year with airlines offering expanded seasonal flights to key hub airports in New York, Denver and Atlanta.
"I think that's helped out a lot," he said.
The local numbers contrast with other airports around Michigan where passenger numbers are down this year, including facilities that provide some competition for Traverse City. In Grand Rapids passenger counts through May were down more than 6 percent from 2011, while Flint airport numbers were down nearly 13 percent.
Klein cited increased business travel for creating part of the uptick. The airport is seeing more business travel from locally-based operations including Hagerty insurance and the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. The airport's major carriers including Delta, United and American Airlines are dispatching sales teams to the area this summer to look further into the region's travel needs.
"They are starting to take notice of the new businesses we have in town," Klein said. "We've been a leisure market for so long, it's taken awhile to get their attention."
J. Michael DeAgostino, a spokesman for the Acme-based resort, said it's a "chicken-and-egg" situation. He's not sure if more business travelers are creating more flight options, or whether more flights are spurring more business travel. Regardless, he said it's a good situation for the resort and the region's economy in general.
"Our business levels are up this year," he said. "The easier it is for our conferences to get here, the better it is for everybody."
Klein said Delta airlines officials are pleased with the advanced reservations for new weekly flights to and from Atlanta that started last weekend. But local travel experts said the timing of the Saturday-only flights isn't optimum for area residents for leisure or business travel.
Patricia Martin, a travel agent for Passageways Travel based in Traverse City, said so far she hasn't booked anyone on Delta's Atlanta flights, which she said is more targeted to visitors coming to Traverse City. Locals would benefit more from Atlanta flights at other times of the year, she said.
"Where that would really help is in the middle of winter, when everybody's on spring break," Martin said.
More popular is the seasonal flight service to Denver through United Airlines, as destinations in the western U.S. and beyond are more in demand with summer travelers.
"I think the Denver-United flight is very helpful for people to get to that part of the country," she said.
Klein suspects more-competitive airfares that Delta introduced into the Traverse City market also are helping boost local passenger numbers. Others said air fares continue to vary widely based on advanced reservations, days of the week and other factors, and advise potential travelers to shop around for the best deals.
"Every day's a different story," Martin said. "It really depends on how flexible you can be with your plans."
Region
Related Photos
-
A Delta connector flight takes off from Cherry Capital Airport on Wednesday afternoon. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Numbers up at Cherry Capital
-
-
Traverse City steps up parking enforcement
Barb Meredith recently had an expensive downtown Traverse City breakfast, but not from anything on the restaurant’s menu.
Continued ... -
Snyder, GOP lawmakers agree to budget targets
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and leaders of the GOP majority in the Legislature reached a budget agreement Tuesday for next fiscal year that doesn’t include an expansion of government health insurance for low income-adults and puts Michigan’s unexpected surplus toward funding roads and K-12 education.
Continued ... -
TCAPS contract talks continue
Traverse City Area Public Schools educators picketed outside the district’s main office building in a display of opposition to TCAPS administrators’ proposed collective bargaining contract.
Continued ... -
Panera Bread is on its way
A Panera Bread franchise likely will rise in Garfield Township despite what some planning officials consider a stale project design.
Continued ... -
Woman retraces father's steps to Indian marker trees
Dennis Downes traveled 200,000 miles over three decades, a journey to locate Indian trail tree markers around the Great Lakes, including two in Traverse City – one at the Civic Center and another at a Washington Street residence.
Continued ... -
Police looking into assault find 960 pot plants
Investigation into a domestic assault complaint led Antrim County authorities to a "sophisticated" marijuana grow operation and nearly 1,000 plants.
Continued ... -
Man gets prison for heroin possession
An Antrim County man found in possession of about 20 packets of heroin will spend at least 18 months in prison.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 21, 2013
-
Bear sighted at Mancelona Middle School
Chad Culver, the school's principal, spied the large mammal on Monday about 9 a.m. when he looked out his window as he met with a teacher.
Continued ... -
Property owners sue over flooding
A group of Boardman River property owners filed a lawsuit over removal of the Brown Bridge Dam, saying their property values dropped when the river’s water levels rose.
Continued ... -
TCL&P may spend $15K on land it doesn't want
The city’s electric utility will spend up to $15,000 on a piece of property it hopes to never own — just in case public opposition foils its preferred location for an electrical substation.
Continued ... -
Teens admit to lewd elevator act
Traverse City police are investigating a report of sexual contact between two teens in a Traverse City Central High School elevator.
Continued ... -
Fired Munson clinic employee settles lawsuit
A former Munson Medical Center worker recently settled a lawsuit that alleged her civil rights were violated when she was fired from her job at an HIV-AIDS clinic.
Continued ... -
Free yard waste drop-off offered in Garfield
Garfield Township residents can dispose of yard waste for free starting later this month. No-charge waste passes will be available at Garfield Township Hall starting today through June 4.
Continued ... -
Forecast: More storms followed by cool temps
Meteorologists say to expect more severe thunderstorms coming through the Grand Traverse region.
Continued ... -
TC resident wins $5K Art Van Award of Hope
Cecilia Chesney, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, received $5,000 for her organization and was given the chance to compete for an additional $25,000 through the Art Van Charity Challenge.
Continued ... - Monday, May 20, 2013
-
Family of woman killed by drunk driver: 'It's just not fair'
Paul Shafer had questions for the drunk driver who killed his wife and mother of his three children. Did he know what it's like to take his children to a graveyard on Mother's Day? Did he know what it's like to have a young daughter ask, "'I don't have a mommy anymore?'"
Continued ... -
Severe weather possible this afternoon
The spring’s first severe weather could hit the Grand Traverse region today.
Continued ... -
Sewer rates likely to rise for city residents
City homeowners can expect their base sewer charge to jump over 6 percent beginning in July under a budget proposal before the city commission.
Continued ... -
Great weather draws thousands to NMC Barbecue
Mother Nature dished up a glorious day for the Northwestern Michigan College Barbecue, the college's annual fundraiser that attracts thousands to its wooded campus.
Continued ... -
A chance to learn about Peace Ranch
The Senior Center Network and Peace Ranch are partnering for a Spring Hoedown, with square dancing and live entertainment.
Continued ... -
Leelanau center upgrades old building
The Leelanau Community Cultural Center is keeping stride with modern technology while maintaining the original vintage charm of its Old Art Building.
Continued ... -
Northern Notes: Visitor seeks car ferry photos for DVD
Frequent northern Michigan vacationer Ted Hayes has put his love for the area into poetry and song and is moving forward with his second DVD featuring the area.
Continued ... - Sunday, May 19, 2013
-
New TC manager earned his gray along the way
Jered Ottenwess described himself during his interview for Traverse City manager as soft-spoken, lacking years of experience and perhaps not the most charismatic person.
Continued ... -
Ex-oil exec sees perilous energy future for U.S.
America is headed for an energy crisis filled with power blackouts and gasoline shortages, making today’s gas prices something to fear for in coming years.
Continued ... -
Townships settle 12-year-old lawsuit with Cherryland
Three holdout local townships finally settled a drawn-out tax dispute with Cherryland Electric Cooperative prior to a full hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court.
Continued ...
-
