CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland Hopkins International Airport drew more travelers in 2017 than it did in the last two years that United Airlines operated its hub here.

The airport reported Friday that 9.14 million passengers traveled through Cleveland Hopkins in 2017, an increase of 8.5 percent over 2016.

It's the highest number since 2011, three years before United pulled the plug on its hub in early 2014.

Airport Director Robert Kennedy attributed the growth to new airlines, lower fares and a greater emphasis on customer service at the airport.

Kennedy, who this month is marking his one-year anniversary at Hopkins, said the airport's turnaround has been remarkable. "If I had been here in 2014, and you would have told me that in three years we would surpass our traffic from the hub days, I wouldn't have taken that bet," he said.

Among the reasons for the growth:

* New airlines, including Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air, which started flying from CLE last February to 11 destinations.

* New routes from existing carriers, including Southwest, Spirit and Frontier, which have added flights to Milwaukee, New Orleans and Austin in 2017, among other destinations.

* Route additions and capacity increases from long-time Hopkins carriers American, Delta and Southwest.

Said Kennedy: "United was the only carrier who reduced seats in the market last year."

Lower fares contributed to the growth, as well. Fares at Cleveland Hopkins have dropped 30 percent in the years since United's pullback, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Kennedy predicted more growth to come. Among the newcomers in 2018: Both Wow Air and IcelandAir start new flights to Reykjavik, Iceland, in May.

Kennedy said passenger forecasts predict an estimated 9.5 million passengers in 2018 and 10 million in 2019.

Those numbers, however, are still lower than Hopkins' peak traffic years, two decades ago, when the airport saw 13 million passengers a year.

Many of those travelers, however, were connecting through Cleveland. Today, according to the airport, 96 percent of Hopkins passengers are starting or ending their trips in Cleveland.

Said Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, in a statement: "The growth in passengers flying to and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a testament to the airport's focus on growing air service and the quality of the traveling public's experience. It is also evidence of our region's increasing reputation as a key destination for regional, national and international travel."

Other nearby airports experienced significant growth, as well, including Pittsburgh International Airport, which drew 8.99 million passengers in 2017, up 8.2 percent over 2016 and the busiest year at the airport since 2007.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, meanwhile, served 7.8 million passengers in 2017, up 16 percent over 2016.

Cleveland Hopkins passenger traffic



2017: 9.14 million

2016: 8.42 million

2015: 8.10 million

2014: 7.61 million

2013: 9.07 million

2012: 9.01 million

2011: 9.18 million

2010: 9.49 million

2009: 9.72 million

2008: 11.11 million

2007: 11.46 million

2006: 11.32 million

2005: 11.46 million

2004: 11.26 million

2003: 10.56 million

2002: 10.80 million

2001: 11.86 million

2000: 13.29 million

Source: Cleveland Hopkins, U.S. Department of Transportation