As the holiday season approaches, Wyoming airports are preparing for one of their busiest travel periods, though the expected increase in passenger traffic remains relatively modest compared to national trends.
According to recent data analysis from Luxury Link, Wyoming airports are expected to see only a 0.3% increase in daily passenger traffic, significantly lower than the nationwide average of 6.2%.
Despite a surge in overall US air travel—exceeding pre-pandemic levels by an average of 2.5 million daily passengers—the impact on Wyoming’s airports has been notably muted. For comparison, popular holiday travel states such as Florida and Arizona anticipate traffic increases of 12.7% and 10.9%, respectively, while smaller increases are expected in colder states with fewer winter tourism draws. Wyoming’s holiday traffic levels reflect its more limited seasonal influx, with daily passenger counts rising slightly to an average of 1,956 during peak periods, just a small uptick from the typical daily average of 1,950.
The busiest travel days in Wyoming are anticipated during the winter holidays, with daily traffic projected to reach 2,260 passengers, while Thanksgiving traffic will average around 1,444 travelers. Wyoming’s modest increase during these peak times contrasts sharply with airports in other tourist-heavy regions like Fort Lauderdale, which leads the country with a 16.3% holiday season increase.
This restrained growth in Wyoming’s air travel comes as airports nationwide are receiving a wave of federal investments. The FAA recently announced $289 million in grants under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aimed at boosting airport capacity and upgrading critical infrastructure to handle rising demand. These investments include terminal expansions, runway enhancements, and baggage system upgrades to manage record-breaking travel numbers during peak times.
With input from Wyoming News Now, KOTA, and Methodology.
