Regional airports in this state are soaring, while big hubs sag

Over the past several years, the air travel industry has undergone a dramatic transformation, shaped by global disruptions, shifting consumer behavior, and evolving airline strategies. 

Travel ground to a halt practically overnight and forced carriers and airports to rethink their operations.

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International and business travel have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to the U.S. Travel Association, while domestic and leisure-focused travel saw a faster recovery as travelers prioritized flexibility and convenience.

One of the most noticeable trends has been the growing popularity of smaller regional airports. Once overlooked in favor of larger hubs, these airports have seen an increase in the number of travelers as people increasingly prioritize shorter lines, easier access, and a less stressful overall experience. 

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Airlines, in turn, have adjusted by reallocating routes and capacity toward these emerging markets, often flying larger planes into destinations previously served by smaller aircraft or fewer flights.

Meanwhile, major airports — particularly those tied heavily to international or business travel — continue to face challenges, with passenger numbers lagging behind 2019 benchmarks. As the industry continues to adapt, the gap between regional growth and big-hub stagnation could signal a longer-term shift in how and where Americans choose to fly.

California’s two biggest airports have not reached pre-pandemic levels

California’s major air travel gateways like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are still operating below pre-pandemic levels. San Jose and Oakland, two other major California airports, are also seeing lower numbers, perhaps due to reduced business travel for tech-sector employees.

At the same time, a new trend is taking off: regional airports are booming. 

Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS), for example, has emerged as the fastest-growing airport in California since 2019. Passenger traffic at the Santa Rosa-based hub soared 60% over the past five years, reaching record highs in 2024, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. 

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This growth happened even as the state’s largest airports saw about 10% fewer passengers compared to pre-Covid times. STS is about an hour north of San Francisco and a gateway to Napa and Sonoma counties, aka wine country.

The sudden surge in passenger demand at STS has prompted airlines like Alaska and American to increase flight frequency and deploy larger aircraft. The airport, which unveiled a sleek new terminal in 2022, is seeing a changing passenger demographic, too.

Before the pandemic, about 55% of STS traffic came from locals, according to the Chronicle’s data analysis. These days, visitors account for 55%.

It’s not just Santa Rosa. Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, a tiny California Central Valley facility with just a few gates, is also gaining altitude. It’s about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, so not exactly right next door, but still convenient to destinations like Yosemite and coastal towns like Santa Barbara. According to airport director Michael Musca, the appeal is simple: shorter lines, less chaos, and no L.A. traffic.

Airlines are rerouting strategies because of passenger demand

This trend isn’t lost on airlines. With business travel still struggling to return to pre-2020 volumes, carriers are increasingly focused on leisure-driven routes.

“As travel patterns change, airlines are reallocating their assets,” Kerry Tan, an economics professor at Loyola University Maryland, told the Chronicle. “It makes sense to fly larger planes into high-demand leisure markets instead of banking on business routes that may never fully rebound.”

Regional airports offer a clear value proposition: easier logistics, faster boarding, and shorter TSA lines. In an era when air travel feels more like a grind than a getaway, consumers are showing they’re willing to pay a premium for peace of mind — even if it means flying into a smaller terminal.

For investors, the long-term opportunity may lie in watching which airports and regions airlines favor. Are we witnessing a permanent shift in airline logistics — or a temporary rebound fueled by a few years of pent-up wanderlust?

“The question is whether that growth is sustainable,” Tan noted in the Chronicle story.

If business travel comes back strong, airlines might revert to their old habits. But for now, regional airports are flying high.

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