Ten years ago, Akron Canton airport was little more than a regional airport - flying just 760 thousand passengers over 12 months.
But Wednesday it shattered its' 2008 passenger record, moving past the one-point-47 million mark with 23 flight days remaining, en route to a year end total that leadership estimates will top the million-and-a-half mark for the first time.
The growth in flyers use of Akron-Canton has been an economic boon to the Summit-Stark-Portage County area. A summer 2010 study found the airport contributes to and helps sustain more than 22-hundred regional jobs, while helping produce $12 million in tax revenue and almost $88 million in payrolls.
But the Airport's Kristie Van Auken points to a $400 million-dollar total impact, making Akron-Canton a key component of regional growth.
KRISTIE VAN AUKEN:
"What it means is revitalization, it means energy, it means hope, it means access to the globe, I mean there's so much that's tied up in having a successful airport in your community."
This year, seven of the first ten months have set records for passengers traveling through CAK.
Celebrating the milestone, inbound and exiting flyers were feted with gifts, discounts and free services all day long, from the airport, airlines, parking services... even skycaps who refused tips.
Van Auken says the airport is working to poll its first-time customers and determine additional reasons for the growth, even as prime carrier AirTran continues its merger with Southwest Airlines.... which could boost passenger totals again - in 2011.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
