Nashville International Airport Smashes Passenger Record With Nearly 18.3 Million Travelers in 2019

Soaring 14.2 percent increase, seventh consecutive record-breaking year

NASHVILLE – The numbers are in, and Nashville International Airport (BNA) again shattered its all-time passenger record. BNA today announced a new calendar year total of nearly 18.3 million passengers served in 2019, the airport’s seventh consecutive calendar year of record-setting growth.

In 2019, 18,273,434 passengers traveled into and out of BNA, exceeding the 2018 calendar year total by more than 2.2 million passengers. The 2019 total represents a 14.2 percent increase over the previous year. 2019 was also the first year to add more than 2 million additional total passengers and the second calendar year to exceed 1 million passengers every month.

“The passenger growth at BNA has been astounding over the last several years,” said BNA President and CEO Doug Kreulen. “These numbers derive largely from the ongoing business activity, tourist travel and population boom in this region and help explain why the airport serves as an economic engine for Middle Tennessee. Above all, this continued growth underscores the need for the bigger, better airport currently under construction. We’re getting there.”

[NOTE: BNA additionally releases passenger data at the end of each fiscal year, which is July 1-June 30. In Fiscal Year 2019, 17.1 million passengers traveled to and from BNA, an increase of more than 2.2 million passengers over FY18, an unprecedented 15 percent rate of annual growth and a new all-time passenger record for the sixth consecutive fiscal year.]

BNA is currently in the midst of a major expansion and renovation project called BNA Vision. By 2024, completed projects will include additional parking garages, new Concourse D and terminal wings, expanded central terminal and security checkpoint, a state-of-the-art International Arrivals Facility, a reimagined concessions program, an airport administration building, on-site hotel, an enhanced airport roadway system and potential transit connection. Take a virtual 360-degree tour, view renderings and watch the BNA Vision video at BNAvision.com.


Watch our year-end video here: https://youtu.be/sth0jKQ1P_o

BNA also celebrated an impressive number of achievements and milestones in 2019, including:

  • Ranked #8 in the J.D. Power 2019 North America Airport Satisfaction Study (Large Airports category);
  • Named to Cheapism.com’s list of “The 16 Most Passenger-Friendly Airports in the World” (one of only four U.S. airports to make the list);
  • British Airways expanded its Nashville to London nonstop service to daily flights and upgraded to the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner;
  • Added a 15th airline partner, Spirit Airlines, which began nonstop service to six destinations in October: Baltimore/Washington, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Orlando, New Orleans and Tampa;
  • Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines added nonstop service to a total of 12 new destinations and increased service to eight other markets.
  • Made significant construction progress on a new, 2,800-space Terminal Garage (opening in Summer 2020) and the new Concourse D and Terminal Wings Expansion (opening in Summer 2020);
  • Completed Phase 1 of the Terminal Apron and Taxiline Expansion project and the new Central Utlity plant;
  • Announced anticipated operators for BNA’s new concessions program with Fraport USA, executed leases and celebrated the start of construction.


Additional highlights in 2019:

  • Broke records three times each for monthly total passengers, passengers screened in a single day and number of bags processed in a single day;
  • Rolled out an exciting new brand campaign: “Be Nashville. BNA.”;
  • Released a powerful study showing that BNA generates more than $7.1 billion in total economic impact in Middle Tennessee;
  • Received strong bond ratings from key ratings agencies and sold $920 million in bonds to help finance BNA Vision;
  • Hosted a hugely successful BNA 5K on the Runway, raising $82,000 for K9s for Warriors;
  • Drew a record attendance for Business Taking Off, the airport’s annual event for contractors of all sizes wishing to do business with BNA;
  • Received Parksmart Bronze certification for BNA’s Terminal Garage, which opened in December 2018, for “green” construction, design and operation;
  • Launched an innovative Maintenance Apprenticeship Program.

BNA is currently served by 15 airlines and offers 540 daily commercial flights. Nashville International Airport provides nonstop air service to 75 destinations.

With nearly 18.3 million passengers visiting each year, Nashville International Airport (BNA) is one of the fastest growing airports in North America. BNA serves 540 daily commercial flights to 75 nonstop destinations. According to a recent study, in 2018 alone, BNA generated more than $7.1 billion in total economic impact, supported more than 67,000 jobs in the region, and produced more than $392 million in state, local and federal taxes. BNA receives no local tax dollars. For more information, visit flynashville.com. Follow us on Facebook: @NashvilleInternationalAirport, Twitter: @Fly_Nashville and Instagram: @FlyNashville. Learn more about BNA Vision, our growth and expansion plan for the airport, at BNAVision.com.