This past year has flown by for our airport team! We have enjoyed continued success with Contour Airlines and we can’t tell you how much we appreciate their flight crews and leadership team. It is a joy every day to welcome passengers from our Chicago and Dallas flights while assisting those departing the Fort Leonard Wood Region. Before we jump into 2025, our team would like to take a few minutes to reflect on our top highlights from 2024. Join us as we share our top five most memorable moments from the past year:
Number 5: Welcoming home service members and greeting military families arriving to celebrate graduations. As the first faces many people see when they arrive at Fort Leonard Wood, we take great pride in warmly welcoming passengers to the region. We’re happy to answer questions, point people in the right direction, and simply give a friendly smile. It is also an honor to welcome back service members from overseas assignments and deployments. We will never tire of recognizing their sacrifice and dedication to serving our nation.
Number 4: Supporting Tiger Pride Night. This year, thanks to the support of Contour Airlines, we were able to give away two roundtrip tickets to a Fort Leonard Wood Region community member. We have a lot of fun at this event getting to meet our neighbors and making new friends. It’s also a good reminder of the supportive and welcoming community we call home.
Number 3: Hitting 10,000 enplanements…AGAIN! This is the second year in a row that we have achieved this milestone. It was a long-time goal for us and to not only have achieved it but continue to see our ridership increase is an awesome feeling. We also want to send a huge thank you to the Contour Airlines team. Without their oversight, guidance, and leadership, this achievement wouldn’t be possible. We are very thankful for their care and commitment to our airport’s success.
Number 2: First flights into and out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Earlier this year, we celebrated the return of the Chicago to Fort Leonard Wood route. Providing passengers with connections in Chicago unlocks the ability to travel worldwide to and from the Fort Leonard Wood Region with a single layover. ORD offers 869 daily direct flights to 169 U.S. cities and approximately 108 direct international flights to 63 destinations around the world.
Number 1: Breaking ground on our new terminal! After years of working and planning, the first shovels of dirt were turned in late 2024 to officially mark the beginning phases of construction for our new commercial air service terminal. The new 9,000 sq. ft. facility will have space for 50 passengers making air travel easier and more convenient for those living in the region and those visiting the region. We are excited to keep you posted on the construction progress in 2025.
While these five highlights represent the great things that happened at the airport this year, this is not a complete list! Every day we talk to passengers, welcome people to the region, and provide an incredible service that elevates the quality of life for those living on and around Fort Leonard Wood. These daily interactions bring us joy and remind us of our important role in providing an exceptional quality of life to those living in the Fort Leonard Wood Region. We look forward to continuing our work in 2025 and beyond!