New Airline Routes Drive Akron-Canton Airport Passenger Traffic Surge in 2025
Key Points
- 1938,814 passengers traveled through CAK in 2025, marking a 23.54% increase year-over-year from 2024 figures.
- 2Breeze Airways opened its first Midwest crew base at CAK in 2025, driving five new nonstop routes and stationing Airbus A220 aircraft.
- 3The airport's growth is heavily concentrated in leisure travel, with the market shifting to approximately 80% leisure passengers.
- 4CAK's performance contrasts with Cleveland Hopkins (CLE), which revised its 2025 passenger forecast downward to 10.1 million.
The Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) has reported a significant surge in Akron-Canton Airport passenger traffic, closing 2025 with nearly a 25% increase over the previous year. This substantial CAK passenger growth 2025 was primarily fueled by new and expanded services from low-cost carriers and major network airlines.
The Summit County airport welcomed 938,814 passengers in 2025. This figure represents a 23.54% jump from the 759,545 travelers served in 2024. The total also surpassed the airport’s original forecast for the year.
While the total remains below the airport’s historical peak of 1.8 million passengers in 2012, the facility has successfully rebuilt its passenger count. This recovery follows the 2014 exit of Southwest Airlines, which had merged with AirTran Airways and consolidated operations at a nearby hub.
“This exciting growth reflects the confidence airlines and travelers continue to place in the Akron-Canton Airport,” said President and CEO Ren Camacho. “Our airline partners responded with expanded service that gives Northeast Ohio air travel customers more nonstop options than ever before.”
The Engine of Growth: Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways is responsible for a large portion of the recent expansion. The low-cost carrier opened its first Midwest crew base at CAK in the summer of 2025. This move involved stationing Airbus A220 aircraft at the airport, creating over 60 new pilot, flight attendant, and maintenance jobs.
This investment led to five new Breeze Airways Akron-Canton routes in 2025. These destinations included Wilmington (ILM), Palm Beach (PBI), Daytona Beach (DAB), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Jacksonville (JAX).
Other carriers also contributed to the rise in Akron-Canton nonstop options:
- Allegiant Air, the airport’s second-largest carrier, added two new routes to Jacksonville (JAX) and Destin/Fort Walton Beach (VPS).
- American Airlines introduced a new service to Chicago O’Hare (ORD).
This growth highlights a significant shift in the airport’s market. Pre-pandemic, business travel made up 60% of traffic. Now, the market is heavily driven by leisure passengers, accounting for approximately 80% of travelers.
Regional Context and Competitive Advantage
CAK’s robust performance provides a strong contrast to its larger regional competitor. The growth comes as Cleveland Hopkins International Airport traffic experienced a slower recovery.
While Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) served over 10 million passengers in 2024, its 2025 forecast was revised downward to 10.1 million passengers. Through November 2025, CLE’s passenger count was down 1.56% year-over-year.
CAK maintains a key competitive advantage in the region. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Akron-Canton Airport offers the lowest average airfare compared to surrounding hubs, including CLE, Columbus (CMH), and Pittsburgh (PIT).
Momentum Continues into 2026
Airport officials expect this positive momentum to continue into 2026. Further Allegiant American airlines expansion is already announced.
New services planned for the year include:
- Breeze Airways launching nonstop service to Savannah, Georgia (SAV) in May 2026.
- American Airlines adding a fifth daily frequency to its popular route to Charlotte (CLT) in June 2026.
This sustained investment by carriers like Breeze Airways and American Airlines solidifies CAK’s role as a vital and growing travel hub for Northeast Ohio. The airport’s success demonstrates the strong demand for convenient, low-cost air travel options outside of major metropolitan hubs like Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
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