Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) continues to reach new heights, celebrating another record-breaking quarter in 2026 and the busiest month in the airport’s history.
The third quarter of 2026 (July through September) marked another milestone for ICT, continuing a year of impressive passenger growth and strong demand for air travel in south-central Kansas.
Leading the way was July 2026, which officially became the busiest month in ICT’s history, with 99,583 passengers boarding flights out of Wichita. That put the airport just 417 departing passengers shy of reaching the 100,000 mark in a single month.
A Year of Record-Breaking Growth
The third-quarter milestone builds on an already remarkable year for ICT. Earlier in 2026, the airport celebrated its busiest first quarter on record, with 195,341 departing passengers. Strong passenger traffic continued throughout the spring and summer, demonstrating the Wichita region’s growing demand for convenient air service.
The latest records also follow a successful 2025, when ICT welcomed more than 1.8 million total passengers, a 3.24% increase over the previous year.
“The airport’s growth is reflective of the community’s growth,” said Jesse Romo, Director of Airports. “These milestones demonstrate the strength of our region and the importance of continuing to invest in air service, airport facilities and the passenger experience.”
More Opportunities to Fly Wichita
As passenger numbers continue to climb, ICT is working to provide travelers with even more options.
In 2026, Southwest Airlines launched new nonstop service to Chicago Midway, providing convenient connections to destinations across the country. Southwest also announced new nonstop service to Nashville beginning in March 2027 and the return of seasonal nonstop service to Orlando International Airport in summer 2027.
ICT was also recently selected to receive a $1 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program. The funding will support efforts to recruit new nonstop service to a major East Coast hub, such as Charlotte or the New York City area.
These efforts are part of ICT’s ongoing commitment to expanding air service and making it easier for travelers to start their journeys close to home.
Growing Alongside Our Community
Record-breaking passenger numbers are about more than statistics. They reflect a growing community, a strong regional economy, and travelers who recognize the value of flying local.
ICT continues to invest in improvements designed to accommodate growth and enhance the passenger experience. Recent terminal upgrades, including expanded ticketing facilities, new common-use ticket counters and self-service kiosks, are helping position the airport for the future.
Of course, none of these milestones would be possible without the dedicated employees, airline partners, tenants, and community members who support ICT every day.
Thank You for Flying ICT!
Every passenger who chooses ICT plays a role in the airport’s success. Whether traveling for business, heading out on a family vacation or welcoming visitors to Wichita, choosing to fly local helps strengthen air service opportunities for the entire region.
As ICT celebrates another record-breaking quarter, one thing is clear: Wichita is on the move, and we’re excited to see where we go next.
Thank you for making 2026 a year to remember. Here’s to reaching even greater heights together!
Fly Wichita. Fly Local.