News Release: MidAmerica St. Louis Airport Soars in 2025 with Record Travel, New Route and Major Investments

MASCOUTAH, Ill. (Jan. 21, 2026) – MidAmerica St. Louis Airport closed out 2025 with unprecedented success, marking another year of growth fueled by record-setting passenger numbers, expanded nonstop flight options and significant infrastructure advancements. As demand for convenient, affordable travel continues to surge, MidAmerica has solidified its role as a premier transportation hub for the Metro East and the greater St. Louis region.

From the start of the year, MidAmerica set the pace for success. March marked the first new monthly passenger record, and that momentum carried through the year with six additional months achieving new highs. July became the busiest month in the airport’s history, welcoming approximately 57,000 travelers. Overall, passenger traffic soared 25.3% over 2024, reaching more than 384,000 passengers — a milestone that also represents an 18% increase over 2022, the previous record-holder at 326,000 passengers. This remarkable growth underscores MidAmerica’s continued rise as a key regional gateway for leisure travelers.

The airport continued to broaden its route network in 2025, offering nonstop flights year-round or seasonally to a wide range of sought-after destinations. The newest addition was a twice-weekly service to Gulf Shores, Alabama, which launched with its inaugural flight on May 23. Other popular destinations include Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Orlando/Sanford, Sarasota/Bradenton, Savannah and Tampa Bay/St. Pete.

“The numbers for 2025 reveal travelers are increasingly choosing MidAmerica St. Louis Airport for its unmatched convenience and value,” said Darren James, Director of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. “We’re thrilled to keep expanding our route network while advancing major infrastructure projects, including the new General Aviation Facility and Federal Inspection Station that will open the door to international commercial service and attract even more carriers in the future.”

The new 25,277-square-foot Federal Inspection Station building is the latest in a series of strategic expansions designed to accommodate rising passenger volumes and enhance operational efficiency. Its embedded General Aviation Facility is projected to open in early spring 2026 with the capability to serve international flights of up to 20 passengers, while the Federal Inspection Station itself remains on track for completion in spring 2027. These improvements build on the airport’s $34 million terminal expansion completed in 2023, which nearly doubled its size and introduced modern amenities to elevate the traveler experience.

This past year also was a milestone year for MidAmerica St. Louis Airport’s growing aviation business park, as work was completed on Boeing’s new $200 million, 300,000-square-foot production facility. The facility is home to manufacturing operations for the MQ-25 Stingray — the U.S. Navy’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling aircraft — which is expected to make its first test flight in Q1 of 2026.

Progress also advanced on the $97 million, 5.2-mile MetroLink extension from the Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. The project includes a new MetroLink station adjacent to the terminal and a 2.4-mile frontage road, creating a direct connection to St. Louis Lambert International Airport and improving accessibility for both travelers and employees of the various tenants at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. As construction nears completion and testing is set to begin in the coming weeks, the targeted June 2026 opening will mark a major step toward improved regional connectivity.

“The growth and development at and around MidAmerica St. Louis Airport continue to deliver tremendous benefits for the region,” said St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern. “The airport, together with Scott Air Force Base and onsite tenants, supports more than 23,000 jobs and drives $3.1 billion in economic impact for the bi-state St. Louis area. Recent expansions and ongoing projects will further strengthen that impact, ensuring MidAmerica remains a vital part of the region’s dynamic aviation landscape.”

Beyond growth and investment, the airport also served as the host site for the inaugural Southern Plane Pull competition in May, presented by the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics Illinois. The event united teams of men and women who put their strength and teamwork to the test by pulling a 44,000-pound GoJet aircraft, raising crucial funds to support Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

To learn more about MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, visit flymidamerica.com.  

About MidAmerica St. Louis Airport    

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport is located in Mascoutah, Illinois, in the eastern portion of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Passenger service to a variety of popular destinations is offered by Allegiant. Major multimodal rail and inland port centers are located within 22 miles of the airport, which also enjoys easy access to five interstate highways via I-64. With parallel runways of 8,000 and 10,000 feet, the airport can handle simultaneous take-offs and landings in all conditions, minimizing delays. It has an annual capacity of 200,000 operations. Tenants include Boeing, which has a manufacturing facility at the airport and North Bay Produce, an international, grower-owned, year-round, fresh produce marketing and distribution cooperative headquartered in Traverse City, Mich. MidAmerica is a Joint Use Airport partnering with Scott AFB, the home to US Transportation Command, a multi service organization, and Air Mobility Command, the USAF’s component command for airlift. MidAmerica and the 375th Air Mobility Wing operate Scott AFB/MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.     

Media Contact:   
Merisa Ashbaugh  

Merisa@HauserGroupPR.com