Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Celebrates Another Year of Success
SDF had its third busiest year ever
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (February 6, 2026)— The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) marked another year of success in 2025 including celebrating its third busiest year for passenger traffic following its top two record years in 2023 and 2024. Last year, 4.59 million total passengers flew in or out of SDF with Sunday, May 4, 2025 (the day after the Kentucky Derby) serving as the airport’s busiest day yet with 18,500 departing seats.
In 2025, a total of 19 nonstop routes increased their capacity throughout the year while eight of these were by double-digits. Eight airlines continue providing service to more than 40 nonstop destinations from Louisville, including last year’s launch of service to Nashville (BNA) on Southwest Airlines that provides convenient connections to more than 75 cities across the country.
“Passenger figures remained consistently strong throughout last year,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates SDF. “To experience three consecutive years of record-setting growth, all of which mark the highest passenger totals in SDF’s history is a testament to the community’s support and the robust air service options available to travelers at our airport.”
Progress continues on the SDF Next Program, a comprehensive capital improvement initiative that will see more than $1 billion invested in the airfield and Jerry E. Abramson Terminal. To date, more than $364 million in projects have been completed with more than $565 million in additional investment expected between now and 2028.
Terminal highlights from 2025 include progress on the new security checkpoint expansion, a 30,000 square feet addition with 10 passenger screening lanes that will house the latest technology is scheduled to be operational by early 2027. On the airfield, the first phase of Taxiway B reconstruction was completed along with various electrical upgrades and pavement rehabilitation to areas of SDF’s runways and taxiways.
Looking ahead to 2026 in the terminal, nearly $70 million in significant improvements to the post-security area along Concourses A and B just recently kicked off that include mechanical upgrades, skylight replacement and an overhaul of all gate waiting areas. On the airfield, reconstruction of both Taxiways B and D are expected, totaling $40 million in investment to improve operational efficiencies for aircraft.
The Airport Authority including SDF and Bowman Field, the crucial general aviation reliever airport for the community, continue to be the no. 1 economic powerhouse for aviation in the state. Exposition
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