Fewer people boarded planes at CIRA in 2015

Posted on January 13, 2016

Central Illinois Regional Airport is reporting low passenger numbers for 2015. (WJBC file photo)

By Terry James

BLOOMINGTON – Fewer passengers and fewer flights.

That sums up 2015 for the Central Illinois Regional Airport. CIRA Spokeswoman Fran Strebing said there were 9.7 percent fewer flights in 2015 compared to 2014. Strebing said there is something to look forward to this year.

“We’re excited that we have what is called Delta mainline service,” said Strebing. “It’s on one of our Atlanta flights Boeing 717. It seats 110 folks and that goes out first thing in the morning to Atlanta. That goes pretty much wherever you want to go, Delta having such a large hub in Atlanta.”

Strebing said the exit of Frontier airlines was the largest reason for the decrease as they discontinued service to Denver last January and they discontinued Orlando International service April 27.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

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