San José, Calif., 2014-7-21 — /Travel PR News/ — Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) served 9,063,012 departing and arriving passengers in fiscal year 2013-14, which ended June 30, a healthy 6.8 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Passenger activity grew in May and June by 3.1 percent and 8.9 percent year-over-year, respectively, marking 18 consecutive months of passenger growth.
SJC has reached a new threshold and measurement of success by serving more than nine million travelers. Passenger activity has been in the eight million range since 2009, and the beginning of the Great Recession.
Passenger growth is due to strong passenger loads on Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and All Nippon Airways‘ daily nonstop flight to Tokyo on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Also, the increase is due to airlines increasing flights to numerous destinations during spring 2014:
– Alaska Airlines inaugurated a daily nonstop flight to Salt Lake City;
– Delta Air Lines launched service to Seattle with four daily nonstop flights, and now serves Los Angeles seven times daily;
– Hawaiian Airlines resumed daily wide-body service to Honolulu with connections to Auckland,Osaka and Seoul; and
– Southwest Airlines added another daily nonstop flight each to Denver, Orange County, San Diego and Seattle.
“It is extremely gratifying to see San José International’s passenger growth taking place over such an extended period of time. It is a measurement of our success in creating a world-class airport that
airlines want to serve and travelers choose to use,” said Director of Aviation Kim Becker Aguirre. “We are proud to serve the residents and businesses of Silicon Valley, one of the most dynamic markets in the nation. Billions of dollars in investment in the South Bay Area is a key reason for SJC’s growth in travel demand.”
SJC continues its efforts to attract more domestic and international service to meet Silicon Valley travelers’ needs. The airport’s Business Development staff continues to visit potential new carriers as well as having meetings with current airlines to discuss opportunities.
These facility and customer service upgrades for international airlines and passengers will be completed during the 2014-15 fiscal year:
– Global Entry kiosks will be available to arriving international passengers in August. US Customs and Border Protection will offer this technology-driven trusted traveler program which expedites clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the US;
– Boarding gates 17 and 18 will be renovated so they can be used for both domestic and international flights. The new “swing gates” will add flexibility in scheduling international flights and will offer the necessary space for newer generation aircraft. SJC’s international flights currently operate from gates 15 and 16; and
– Duty free retail will be added.
SJC continues its focus on a high level of customer service in the terminals and support facilities, setting the airport apart from other Bay Area and US airports.
About Mineta San José International Airport
Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is Silicon Valley’s airport, a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José. SJC served 8.8 million passengers in 2013, a 5.9 percent increase year-over-year, and was the second fastest growing medium hub airport in the US. SJC offers approximately 135 daily flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 29 nonstop destinations.
SJC’s five-star customer service experience sets it apart from other Bay Area and US airports. Airlines and passengers respond positively to SJC’s customer amenities, including modern terminal buildings, free and fast WiFi, comfortable seating with built-in power outlets, a luxurious, award-winning lounge that is open to all travelers and a rental car center conveniently located across from the terminals. Silicon Valley’s airport is located in San José, California’s third largest city and the nation’s tenth largest city. SJC facts can be found here. For more airport information, visit www.flysanjose.com.
– SJC –
Contact:
Rosemary Barnes – SJC
(408) 392-1199 – Media Relations Line
rbarnes@sjc.org