Long Beach Airport sets new summer travel record with more than 1 million travelers

It was a busy summer for the Long Beach Airport.

The travel hub welcomed more than 1.1 million passengers from June to August, according to a Tuesday, Oct. 1 news release — a new record for LGB.

That’s a 4% increase in passengers traveling through the airport compared to LGB’s previous summer peak, which saw just over 1 million visitors in 2018.

This year’s uptick, the news release said, is also indicative of the airport’s recovery from disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic — and an indication that LGB’s various ongoing projects aimed at enhancing its allure for travelers is working to bring additional passengers in.

Aside from beating the previous summer travel peak set in 2018 by 4%, the airport said, this year’s numbers outpace the 2023 summer travel rate by 14%.

LGB’s summer visits this year “far (outpaced) projected industrywide growth rate,” the news release said, “which was estimated at 6% for the season.”

And it’s a massive uptick from travel numbers seen during the peak of the pandemic. In 2020, LGB welcomed just 111,437 travelers.

“The impressive growth we’ve seen this summer demonstrates the confidence passengers have in Long Beach Airport,” LGB director Cynthia Guidry said in the news release. “We are thrilled to set a new benchmark and remain committed to providing an exceptional travel experience with the completion of our Terminal Area Improvements Program.”

Long Beach Airport’s Historic Terminal, pictured above, will close to the public for about a year for upgrades. (Photo courtesy City of Long Beach)

A portion of Grace Clements’ mosaic at Long Beach Airport’s Historic Terminal that had been on display prior to LGB’s recent restoration efforts. (Courtesy Long Beach Airport).

The ongoing Terminal Area Improvements Program is a $125 million plan aimed at renovating, updating, and enhancing various parts of LGB.

Most recently, LGB re-opened its Historic Terminal after completing a $17.8 million renovation and restoration on the facility — which brought back to life its beloved architectural and art features, while modernizing the building’s outdated infrastructure.

Also in recent years, LGB opened a new Ticketing Lobby adjacent to the Historic Terminal; alongside a brand new baggage claim facility.

The airport is also currently working on an $11 million upgrade for its terminal loop, which is aimed at making passenger flow through the airport more smooth and updating Americans with Disabilities Act access.