Data shows Green is fastest-growing US airport

It didn’t take long for the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to declare that, according to the latest U.S. Department of Transportation data, Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is the fastest-growing major airport in the United States.

In January RIAC disclosed that Green recorded more than 4 million passengers for 2024, making it the fastest-growing airport in New England. According to the release issued last week, the designation of fastest-growing airport in the nation is based on federal data on updated passenger numbers from May to October 2024 and the airlines' currently published schedules for the Top 75 airports in the United States from January to June 2025.

According to data from the Department of Transportation, Philadelphia International Airport and Washington-Dulles International Airport were ranked behind Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport in passenger and seat growth, respectively.

Yet, Green passenger traffic is short of a record 5.9 million passengers in 2005. For years RIAC CEOs have been hopeful of topping that number with increased flights and destinations. Iftikhar Ahmad, RIAC president and CEO, made it a goal.

In the announcement it was disclosed that recently added or announced flights that will boost passenger volumes are new nonstop routes such as JetBlue's daily service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and New York JFK. Southwest Airlines announced daily service to Nashville, Tennessee, starting later this spring. Last week, Breeze Airways launched two new routes from PVD in a single day: Daytona Beach, Florida, and Wilmington, North Carolina. PVD now offers 38 nonstop destinations, including seasonal nonstop service to Los Angeles, California (LAX), and same-plane service to seven additional destinations, including New Orleans, Pensacola, Memphis and San Diego.

The airport recently announced that it will have international flights to Bermuda on BermudAir beginning in May. PVD has been selected by Breeze Airways as one of its largest hubs. The airline also plans to add international flights from PVD upon FAA approval. This winter, PVD also offers travelers nonstop routes to 10 Florida destinations, more than from Boston Logan Airport.

To accommodate the increased demand for service, the airport has recently made several changes to improve accessibility and customer service, including the opening of Parking Lot "O," a new discount overflow parking lot located at 581 Airport Road, available during high volume travel periods such as school vacations.

The long term parking is needed, as the airport is losing a chunk of parking south of the terminal to the construction of a $100-million air cargo facility in that portion of the field.

The airport also relocated and expanded its free cellphone waiting lot, located a one-minute drive to the arrivals curb, helping to streamline passenger pickup.

Growth in passenger volume has also been assisted by airport investments made by both the state and federal governments, including destination marketing efforts spearheaded by the governor and General Assembly. Other airport infrastructure and facilities improvements have been made possible thanks to federal funds secured by Sen. Jack Reed and the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, who have secured funding for runway and terminal upgrades, with more improvements scheduled for the coming months and years, including new restaurant and retail operations. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Rhode Island receives $2.7 billion in economic benefits from civil aviation, including over 19,000 jobs and the related economic activity they provide.