CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) – Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody saw more than twice as many passengers this year than last year.
Because the area is a big draw for tourists, the number of people flying in and out of Cody signaled good news for the economy and a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year, according to Airport Manager Aaron Buck.
“For 2021, our enplanements are up 82% compared to 2020,” he said. “And then for 2019, if you compare ‘21 to 2019 – which, 2019 was a really good year for us still, because COVID hadn’t really started yet – we’re only down 9%, which is pretty good compared to the national average.”
Buck acknowledged that COVID-related cancellations have affected flights that were scheduled through Yellowstone Regional Airport.
“The week after Christmas wasn’t so great with all the cancellations,” he noted. “We have had a lot of cancellations. Again, that goes back to the same crew shortages and pilot shortages that are felt at Delta, and United is feeling now as well in having to cancel some flights.”
An additional hurdle for YRA, which has been serviced by both Delta and United Airlines in the summer months for the last three years, is that only United provides flights in the winter months. But the last couple of months, Buck said they saw record numbers.
“Actually, this November and December are our best November and December in the last three years,” he said. “Even better than 2019 or 2018, which is way pre-COVID.”
A bit of good news in what was a sometimes difficult year.
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