This record-setting performance can be attributed to several key factors. In 2025, year-round service to New York LaGuardia Airport—a highly anticipated and frequently requested destination—returned via Delta Air Lines for the first time since early 2020. Allegiant also introduced new non-stop flights between Lexington and Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport in April 2025, giving local passengers a new beach vacation option. United Airlines also expanded its Chicago schedule with a fifth daily flight, building on its existing non-stop service to Denver and Chicago and providing passengers with more flexibility and convenience.

“This milestone belongs to our community and the region,” said Eric Frankl, president and CEO of Blue Grass Airport. “These record passenger numbers reflect the trust placed in LEX and its airline partners, and that support makes a real difference. When you fly from Lexington, it helps secure more flights, more destinations and a stronger future for air service in central and southeastern Kentucky.”

To accommodate this growth, the airport is undertaking a significant parking expansion that began in May 2025. This project reconfigures the Terminal Drive roadway and creates 815 new long-term parking spaces to accommodate passengers seeking the airport’s most affordable parking option. New parking amenities include a second covered walkway to the terminal, a new exit plaza with upgraded parking technology and additional exit lanes for quick departure. This $17.8 million project is progressing quickly and is expected to be completed in late spring 2026.

Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Blue Grass Airport has provided 79 years of commercial air service as Kentuckians “Get Going” with non-stop and connecting flights to hundreds of destinations worldwide. Serving more than 1.6 million passengers annually, the airport focuses daily on fulfilling its vision of providing a welcoming approach connecting Kentucky and the world. The airport supports the region with approximately 4,745 jobs and a total economic output exceeding $709 million. For more information, visit http://www.bluegrassairport.com.