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Vehicles line the drop-off area at the Provo Airport on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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People wait inside of the Provo Airport on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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People wait in a ticket line at the Provo Airport on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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There was a time not too long ago when many people didn’t realize that they could get on a commercial flight in Provo.

While for some, that still may be the case, the airport has been persistent in spreading awareness about the multiple carriers who fly in and out of Provo and what they call a less-than-stressful travel experience associated with the airport.

And the message is seemingly catching on.

According to the Provo Airport, 81,102 passengers came through its terminal on more than 750 total flights during the month of November. The numbers marked a milestone in the airport’s 70-plus years in existence.

“Our busiest month ever, passenger wise,” said Airport Director Brian Torgersen. “So that’s exciting. … We’re continuing to trend upward.”

He noted that the airport is in the midst of a robust marketing push in efforts to alert more local travelers that there is more than one option to fly out of Utah.

“It’s amazing how many people I talk to that still aren’t aware you can even get on a plane in Provo,” Torgersen told the Daily Herald.

It also helps having more destinations to choose from.

This year alone, Breeze Airways added flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington, D.C., and Orlando, and it just recently announced nonstop service to San Bernardino from Provo set to begin next February.

Allegiant Air continues to serve Utah County travelers with nonstop flights to destinations like Chicago, Las Vegas, San Diego and Orlando, among other cities.

Last year, plans were announced to integrate international flights to the lineup of travel options at the Provo Airport.

A major step toward that goal was taken in October when American Airlines landed and began taking flights from Provo.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, Torgersen said the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, processed approximately 5,000 passengers in and out of the airport per day.

“Which is pretty incredible for us,” he stated.

With even more holiday travel in sight, he anticipates security staff could process nearly 6,000 total passengers on the busiest days between the week of Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Torgersen said the ease and convenience of the airport has been a draw for travelers.

To handle the increased number of flights at the Provo Airport, a temporary fifth gate recently was added. Torgersen said the extra gate was needed to handle peak departure times and reduce waiting times for passengers.

“We’d rather people not sit on an airplane for an hour waiting, where they can most likely see their car in the parking lot, (and) they’re sitting, just waiting to get off the plane,” he explained.

Ultimately, the airport’s goal is 10 gates. Torgerson said they hope to begin construction on the terminal apron expansion in the spring to accommodate more gates.

In the meantime, with longer TSA wait times expected, airport officials encourage people traveling for the holidays to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to get through security checkpoints and board their flights.

“We are a small airport, but with that many passengers, you’re still going to want to show up two hours before your flight is scheduled to leave,” Torgersen advised.