Council: Cheyenne airport enplanements up but service growth limited by profitability

City Councilman Dr. Mark Rennie summarized a work session with the airport on its preliminary master plan and described rising passenger numbers alongside constraints on route expansion.

Rennie said the airport has handled about 216,000 passengers since 2018 and recorded roughly 5,100 passengers last month. He said the airport's enplanements are up 13% and that flights are running at about 86% capacity, which limits space for additional passengers. Cheyenne ranks second in the state in enplanements behind Jackson, he said.

Rennie explained that airlines often require a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG) to operate routes in Wyoming because service is frequently not profitable; he said the city and state entities sometimes offer an MRG to entice carriers. Rennie said airport officials are negotiating with airlines to add another daily flight or larger jets but that profitability remains a constraint.

Rennie did not announce any new routes or formal city commitments during the update.