Spokane Airport Sees Record 4.35 Million Passengers in 2025, Benefits Kootenai Travelers

Spokane International Airport recorded its busiest year ever in 2025, handling more than 4.35 million passengers, roughly a 2% increase from the previous record set in 2024, according to data reported by the airlines. Airport leaders attribute the gain to new routes, expanded flight schedules, new passenger amenities and transformational enhancements completed during 2025.

Monthly and year-to-date data from Spokane Airports underline the trend: August 2025 saw 212,426 enplanements and 209,090 deplanements for a total of 421,516 passengers, up 1.82% from August 2024’s 413,986 total. The airport’s YTD total through August 2025 stood at 2,928,357, compared with 2,850,080 through August 2024, supporting the airport’s full-year claim of more than 4.35 million passengers.

Airline-level figures through August show which carriers drove growth into the year-end. Alaska Airlines enplaned 466,752 passengers YTD through August, up 8.59% from 429,818 in 2024. United showed the largest YTD gain among major carriers, with 132,146 enplanements versus 108,552 in 2024, a 21.74% increase. Southwest edged up 1.22% to 325,853 enplanements, while American contracted to 110,795 from 141,004, a 21.42% decline. Frontier recorded 6,760 enplanements through August after no prior year figure.

Spokane Airports said the 2025 push included infrastructure projects and concessions changes that matter to travelers in Kootenai County. The airport reported completion of phase four of the Rail-truck Transload Center expansion and a multi-year Parking Consolidation Project, and it launched a new restaurant concept as part of a regionally focused concessions program and introduced a new logo and brand identity.

The Terminal Renovation and Expansion program, known as TREX, made “significant progress” in 2025, the airport said. Concourse C East Terminal Expansion will replace the airport’s former ground boarding infrastructure with new passenger boarding bridges and updated facilities and is expected to be completed this summer before advancing the next phase of TREX. Subject to future funding and approval, Phase II would build a 255,000 square foot Central Hall designed to consolidate security screening and baggage claim areas and streamline passenger access between concourses.

Spokane Airports CEO Dave Haring framed the upgrades as regional gains: “As the region’s gateway, the airport mission always been two-fold: expand opportunities that connect Inland Northwest communities to the global economy and curate an outstanding first impression that reflects the essence of the region for visitors when they arrive,” said Dave Haring, Spokane Airports CEO. “The new routes, new passenger amenities and transformational enhancements brought to life by the Airport team in 2025 not only reinforce this enduring promise to our customers but also set forth the tone for the growth and momentum we expect to carry into 2026.”

Local reaction to the record year showed both pride and questions. A KHQ Local News Facebook post announcing the 4.35 million figure drew 57 reactions and 6 comments, including praise such as “Best of the west airport!” and “It’s a nice airport!” and a visitor question, “Wait is that in general the total or is that people coming into Spokane?” One commenter alleged staffing changes: “Then tell me why they cut ALL employees time! Tell me why we all are having to file unemployment and we are union? This is a facade and it only benefits the shareholders. That is literally what they told us! KHQ Local News get at me if you want the inside story.” That claim appears in social media and has not been verified by airport officials.

With 2025 now the busiest recorded year, topping 2024, 2023 and 2019, travelers from Kootenai County stand to see more nonstop choices and smoother terminal access as Concourse C bridges come online and TREX advances, provided Phase II funding and airline schedule changes follow through in 2026.