From the Director's Desk: Growth, transformation and more on deck for the QC Airport

Recently I shared my reflections on a year of growth and progress at Quad Cities International Airport with the Metropolitan Airport Authority's Board of Commissioners, as well as share a glimpse of what’s ahead. New routes, terminal transformations and a new administration are sure to make 2025 an interesting and exciting year both locally and across the industry.

A Year of Growth: In 2024, we welcomed over 660,000 passengers—a 20% increase from the previous year! While we haven’t yet reached our 2019 peak, airline schedules are strong heading into 2025, and we’re focused on closing that gap.

After several years without new routes, we celebrated two major wins: our first full year of service to Charlotte with American Airlines, offering seamless connections across the U.S. and beyond, and Allegiant’s upcoming seasonal route to Sarasota, Florida. These additions reflect our ongoing commitment to expanding options for our travelers and strengthening our relationships with airline partners.

Transforming the Passenger Experience: On the infrastructure front, we’re in the final stretch of Phase 1 of Project GATEWAY—our terminal transformation plan. Led by our outstanding operations and facilities teams, this project has been a massive undertaking, and we can’t wait to celebrate the grand opening of our new baggage makeup building this spring. Looking ahead, we’re excited to partner with Mead & Hunt to design the next phases of our modernization efforts.

Aviation on the Rise: Thanks to our vibrant general aviation community and increased flight school operations, air traffic at our tower skyrocketed 58% over last year, and a staggering 140% over 2021. To foster this momentum, we hosted our first-ever Pattern Day, where local pilots pushed their skills in a record-setting challenge. Events like these help shape the next generation of aviation professionals and strengthen our airport’s role in regional air traffic.

Navigating a Changing Federal Landscape: With a new administration now in office, federal policies may shift, potentially impacting aviation funding, infrastructure programs and regulatory frameworks. Changes to airport funding programs and sustainability initiatives could require us to adapt our approach, while shifts in diversity and inclusion policies may introduce new challenges for our small business partnerships. As these developments unfold, we remain committed to advocating for the resources and policies that support our airport’s continued growth and modernization.

Looking Ahead to 2025: We are energized by our progress and optimistic about the future. This year, we’ll continue working to expand flight options, enhance our facilities and deliver a world-class experience to our passengers. Your support makes it all possible, and we look forward to another year of success together!