Three US airports see over 20 percent jump in flight schedules

Chattanooga’s growth has been partly driven by Spirit Airlines’ entry into the market in June 2025 with three new routes: Fort Lauderdale, Newark, and Orlando. Other carriers at Chattanooga have also expanded operations: Allegiant increased its presence by starting Punta Gorda flights in February; Delta grew capacity on existing routes; and American Eagle reinstated twice-daily Chicago O’Hare service after previously operating it in 2019.

The average daily departures from September through December are as follows: Chattanooga with 32 (+29%), Bozeman with 33 (+22.5%), and Wilmington with 36 (+22%).

Bozeman leads Montana airports for scheduled flights during this period. Both Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines have significantly increased their operations there—Delta by resuming Detroit service and adding Seattle flights that now operate three times daily; Alaska has doubled Portland frequencies and grown all four of its routes from Bozeman.

American Airlines has also expanded at Bozeman by reintroducing Charlotte service and boosting Chicago O’Hare flights to twice daily using various aircraft types.

Wilmington stands out among North Carolina’s airports for its rapid growth. The addition of Breeze Airways in February and JetBlue two months later contributed substantially to Wilmington’s rise in activity. Avelo Airlines has doubled its offerings there since beginning service in 2022, making Wilmington its second most-served airport.

The airport’s destination list grew from 19 last year to 30 this year for the same period, including new cities such as Akron/Canton; Detroit; Houston Hobby; Long Island; Manchester; Nashville; Providence; Punta Cana (its first international route); Rochester (NY); Washington Dulles; and West Palm Beach—served mainly by Avelo or Breeze Airways. The Punta Cana route will launch on December 24 as a weekly flight operated by Avelo using a Boeing 737-700.

Avelo Airlines was founded in 2018 as an ultra-low-cost carrier and currently operates hubs at several U.S. airports including Hollywood Burbank Airport, Tweed New Haven Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Raleigh–Durham International Airport, and Wilmington Airport.