Blue Grass Airport Ranks as the Fifth Fastest Growing Airport in the U.S. in 2003; Seventh in North America

Lexington, KY - The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) today released its official rankings of passenger activity at North American Airports for the year 2003. This ranking of 175 airports ranked Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport as the seventh fastest growing airport in North America and fifth among U.S. airports.

In 2003, passenger activity in Lexington increased by 18.8% while average passenger activity for the nation showed only a slight increase of 0.6%. Blue Grass Airport has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years resulting in the addition of six new destinations by four different airlines, a 30% increase in daily flights and an overall decrease in average air fares.

“Central and Eastern Kentucky travelers have once again demonstrated that the Bluegrass Region is indeed a market of untapped potential. While most airports averaged only modest gains in passenger activity, Blue Grass Airport set a new record for passenger activity in 2003”, said Michael Gobb, Executive Director for Blue Grass Airport.

Airport Board Vice-Chair, Natalie Wilson said, “Despite a turbulent aviation industry and significant competition among airports in Kentucky and across the nation it is gratifying to see Lexington once again recognized as a leader among airports in the U.S.”

In 2004, Blue Grass Airport continues to reach new heights of passenger activity. For the first four months of the year, passenger activity increased by 14% over the same period in 2003. The airport now offers more service to more destinations than at any time in the 57-year history of the airport. In addition, on June 15, 2004, Delta Air Lines will inaugurate new nonstop jet service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Lexington’s newest nonstop destination.

Ranking, Airport/City, Total Passengers, Percent Change ’02-’03

1. Long Beach, CA (LGB), 2,875,703, 97.8%
2. St. Petersburg, FL (PIE), 997,761, 59.9%
3. Las Vegas, NV (VGT), 457,294, 58.7%
4. Allentown, PA (ABE), 982,777, 23.1%
5. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (YHM), 1,041,204, 23.1%
6. Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada (YQM), 464,764, 18.9%
7. Lexington, KY (LEX), 1,142,086, 18.8%
8. Bangor, ME (BGR), 551,197, 16.8%
9. Daytona Beach, FL (DAB), 565,563, 16.4%
10. Dayton, OH (DAY), 2,603,129, 14.1%

Other Nearby Airports:

21. Paducah, KY (PAH), 65,901, 8.2%
33. Indianapolis, IN (IND), 7,294,185, 5.8%
75. Cincinnati, OH (CVG), 21,228,402, 2.0%
109. Knoxville, TN (TYS) 1,428, -0.3%
147. Louisville, KY (SDF), 3,327,934, -5.0%

Source: Airports Council International-North America. www.aci-na.aero

ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports handle more than 98 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Over 370 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the six worldwide regions of Airports Council International.

Blue Grass Airport is served by five major airline brands providing convenient non-stop service to 13 major hub airports and direct service to destinations worldwide.