SF Airport Sees Major Passenger Growth, Study Says

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — San Francisco International Airport has seen a massive increase in passengers flying and and out of its terminals this year, according to a new travel study by Local Insider.

With 566,367 more people passing through the facility, the airport saw an 8 percent year-over-year increase, the study reported, based on data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

The study looked at passenger traffic across some 100 major and mid-sized airports in the U.S. to find emerging travel hotspots.

SFO ranked among the top fastest-growing airports in the U.S., along with Knoxville, Washington D.C., Providence and Orlando.

San Francisco International ranked no. 6 as one of the emerging travel hotspots in the nation, identified as airports with at least 500,000 annual arrivals showing the largest year-over-year increases. The city also ranked no. 11 as one of the top 20 most popular U.S. destinations.

Meanwhile the Palm Springs airport also ranked no. 14 as one of the top 20 emerging U.S. hot spots.

Another California airport that topped that list was

"These mid-sized airports often serve as affordable alternatives to crowded hubs, which makes them attractive for cost-conscious travelers," according to the study text.

Here are some highlights pulled from the study:

• 44 percent of Americans say they prefer to fly out of a secondary airport to save money.
• When it comes to winter travel, the average American has budgeted $2,036 for flights and accommodations this season.
• With inflation weighing on winter travel plans, 42 percent have already canceled or reconsidered a trip.
• The total international arrivals to the U.S. dropped by more than one million people year-over-year.

Check out the full travel study here.