Business View Magazine - July 2024

“Today, Tyler is a robust and growing airport,” says Airport Manager Steve Thompson. He emphasizes the airport’s role as a key player in regional aviation and highlights its comprehensive services.We pride ourselves in being a center of aviation excellence for all of East Texas.” Tyler Pounds Regional Airport currently features daily scheduled service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) operated by American Airlines through its regional branch, Envoy Air. “We currently have daily scheduled service between Tyler and DFW, serviced by Envoy with American Airlines,”Thompson confirms, underscoring American Airlines as their primary carrier. Thompson notes a substantial rise in commercial passenger numbers over the past year. “We’ve recently been blessed with a larger aircraft,” he states. This upgrade contributed to nearly 50,000 enplanements in 2023, a significant jump from the previous year’s 40,700. He provides precise figures to illustrate this growth: “2023 was 49,914, up from the previous year that was at 40,700.” The increase represents more than a 15% uptick in passenger numbers, a remarkable achievement for the airport. “We hadn’t seen numbers that high for several years, back since 2018, 2019,” Thompson remarks, reflecting on the airport’s performance trends. A HUB FOR TOURISM AND GENERAL AVIATION Tyler Pounds Regional Airport serves as a conduit for commercial flights and a key destination for general aviation (GA) enthusiasts and tourists. The city’s recent developments and strategic investments are drawing increasing visitors, adding to the airport’s bustling activity. “A key development this year is the city opening a new conference and event center,” says Thompson. The W Berkshires Conference Center has quickly become a focal point for various events, driving additional traffic to the airport. “This new venue provides a place for conferences, gatherings, and social events. We’ve already seen many events hosted there, which can help fuel the additional traffic to town.” 223 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 07 TYLER POUNDS REGIONAL AIRPORT