(The Center Square) – Commercial air travel at Shreveport Regional Airport is picking up, a sign that business activity tied to the airport may be improving along with the chances of adding more options for travelers.
According to data the airport released this month, passenger travel increased by 30% over the past decade, reaching a 45-year high in 2025. The number of passengers climbed to 800,135 last year, compared to 616,292 in 2015.
Regional airports that draw travelers within a 1 1/2-hour drive, as Shreveport does, typically fly fewer than 100,000 passengers, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Shreveport attracts travelers from north Louisiana, east Texas and southwest Arkansas.
“The more people who choose Shreveport allows us to provide more service and larger planes,” said Mark Crawford, the airport’s business and development manager.
Carriers that serve the airport are opting for 76-seat regional jets over 50-seaters. About 21 flights land and depart daily.
Shreveport offers nine nonstop destinations, including one to Nashville added by Allegiant Air last summer.
Popular routes include Las Vegas, Destin and Orlando. The airport determines travelers’ preferences by analyzing travel patterns through their cellphone data, Crawford said.
According to Unacast, a location intelligence and analytics company, the data reveals “location patterns” and “trends for groups of users” used to show demand for new flights.
Customers also make their preferences known in more direct communication. They have requested a nonstop flight to New Orleans and suggested adding Southwest Airlines to the airport’s current list of carriers: United, American, Delta and Allegiant.
The airport has the ability to expand because of available land and additional gate capacity, Crawford said.
“The good news is there’s room for much more capacity,” he said.
The airport is overseen by the Shreveport Airport Authority, a five-member board appointed by Shreveport’s mayor and confirmed by the city council to provide oversight and set policy.
Day-to-day operations are part of the airport’s budget, supported by tenant fees who operate concessions, rental companies and aviation services.
Federal airport grants typically help fund runway safety, infrastructure and security. Airports with higher volume are allowed more funding opportunities, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
