South Bend International Airport recorded the busiest year in its history in 2025, with 1,111,002 ticketed airline passengers traveling through the airport. The total surpasses the previous annual record of 991,457 passengers set in 1997.
Airport officials said SBN has experienced year-over-year passenger growth for the past five years. The 2025 total represents a 23.5% increase compared with 2024. Traffic gains were reflected throughout the year, with 41 of the airport’s 50 busiest days on record occurring in 2025, including seven days that ranked among the top 10.
For the first time, two months exceeded 50,000 departing passengers. March recorded 50,602 boardings, and October reached 51,339.
Airport leaders attributed the growth to more travelers beginning and ending both business and leisure trips at SBN, as well as expanded airline service. In 2025, three new routes launched: seasonal service to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers on Breeze Airways, year-round service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Allegiant, and daily service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport on American Airlines. United Airlines also increased its O’Hare flights from six to eight daily.
SBN plans to mark the milestone with community and airport events February 9 through 13, including social media giveaways, terminal events and special lighting at local landmarks.
“We knew 2025 would be the airport’s first time serving over a million airline passengers,” said Mike Daigle, CEO and executive director of South Bend International Airport. “We did not anticipate that record to be over 1.1 million.”
