Airport reports second best quarter in six years

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Boarded passenger numbers at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport continued to increase for the second quarter of 2013.

April, May and June combined for 582 boarded passengers, which is a 51 percent increase from the 384 passengers that boarded during the same time period in 2012.

The number of boarded passengers posted also represents the best second quarter for the airport since at least 2007, as well as the second best three month stretch posted at any time of the year.

The increases continue a trend which began during the final quarter of 2012, shortly after several community leaders and members of the airport advisory board successfully lobbied Great Lakes Airlines to change their McCook departure time.

The numbers only include passengers from scheduled airline services, not charter, taxi or non-scheduled carrier passengers.

April through June, enplaned passengers by year:

2013 : 582

2012 : 384

2011 : 489

2010 : 496

2009 : 405

2008 : 352