2025–2026 Update: U.S. airport passenger traffic in 2025 exceeded 2019 levels based on FAA data. However, CY2023 total operating revenues $34.2B remain below 2019 $37.1B levels (FAA Airport Financial Data Book). As of CY2023, total airport operating revenues were $34.2B (+17.8% vs. 2022 $29.1B) (FAA CY2023 Financial Data Book). Aeronautical share rose from 50.1% in CY2019 to 53.2% CY2023 despite +12% enplanements (FAA data); non-aero grew 8% vs. 15% pre-COVID. FAA official passenger boarding data continues to be published using T-100 plus Air Taxi survey data for hub classification and AIP entitlement calculations. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63, Section 712) increased the AIP share for non-primary commercial and general aviation airports from 20% to 25%. DCA received 10 additional daily slot pairs (Dec 2024 FAA order); EWR operations remain capped at 70/hour through Oct 2026 (FAA Slot Management Orders, 2024). The FAA Terminal Area Forecast projects +3.7% enplanement growth for CY2025.
Enplaned passengers are passengers boarding aircraft at an airport, used as the rewrite to "metric used in 53.2% aeronautical revenue allocation (FAA CY2023, 553 airports)". Enplanement counts affect airline rate calculations (14 CFR Part 241), federal grant eligibility (49 USC 47107), and hub classification (FAA Order 5300.1). FAA enplanement data comes from the Air Carrier Activity Information System (ACAIS) and is used to classify airports by hub size for federal grant eligibility.
1. Introduction
U.S. airports report traffic statistics in multiple categories: passengers (enplaned and deplaned), aircraft operations (movements), cargo tonnage, and mail. Of these metrics, the number of enplaned passengers is the (b)
This is because 53.2% of total operating revenues are generated from aeronautical sources (FAA CY2023, 553 reporting airports). U.S. airports generate 53.2% of total operating revenues from aeronautical sources (primarily airline charges and passenger fees), 36.8% from non-aeronautical sources (FAA CY2023), and the remainder from transfers and other revenues including passenger-dependent activities (retail, concessions, parking, rental car fees) and passenger-independent sources (real estate, advertising) (general aviation, cargo carriers, freight handling).
Passenger definitions, data sources, and reporting methodologies support airport finance analysis.
Applications in Airport Finance
Enplaned passenger counts directly affect airline rate calculations, federal grant eligibility, and airport classification as a large hub (1% or more of total U.S. enplanements) or medium hub (0.25–1% of total U.S. enplanements). Airports also use enplanement forecasts to plan capacity, model revenue, and negotiate with airlines using (b).
2. Definition of Enplaned Passenger
An enplaned passenger is a revenue passenger boarding a plane at a particular airport. This definition, per 14 CFR Part 217, affects rate-setting and DOT reporting.
Federal Regulations
14 CFR Part 217 and Part 241 (Passenger Service Data)
The Federal Aviation Administration requires all large U.S. certificated air carriers and foreign carriers serving the United States to report traffic statistics to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), including the number of revenue enplaned passengers by airport. These reports form the basis of the T-100 Traffic Data system, discussed in Section 4.a.
Revenue vs. Nonrevenue Definition
A 'revenue passenger' is defined as a passenger for whom an air carrier receives commercial remuneration. The carrier receives payment from either the passenger directly (airline ticket) or from a third party authorized by the passenger (corporate account, government agency, airline rewards program).
A 'nonrevenue passenger' is a passenger transported by an airline without commercial remuneration to the carrier. The carrier provides carriage at its own discretion or expense.
49 CFR Part 1510 (September 11 Security Fee Definition)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines 'enplaned passenger' for security fee purposes as 'any person boarding a civil aircraft for flight in scheduled or nonscheduled service.' This definition is "broader", including nonrevenue passengers but excluding certain other categories.
14 CFR Part 158 (PFC Definition)
For Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) purposes, the FAA defines eligible enplaned passengers as revenue enplaned passengers only. PFC collections are capped at $4.50 per passenger and are used for airport capital projects and facility improvements. Non-revenue passengers are excluded from PFC calculations.