– 10.8 Million Passengers Served; Almost 1 Million Passengers Added;
No. 1 of 50 U.S. Airports for Passenger Capacity Growth
San José, Calif. – Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) passenger traffic
increased 10.2 percent in 2016, marking four years of solid passenger growth. SJC
ended the calendar year with serving 10.8 million departing and arriving
passengers, an increase of nearly 1 million more customers choosing SJC for their
travel plans over the previous year.
2016 Flight Review
The significant passenger increase year-over-year is because Silicon Valley
business and leisure travelers had more choices with new and expanded
nonstop service in 2016. Four new international airlines and cities were launched:
Frankfurt on Lufthansa, London Heathrow on British Airways, Shanghai on Air
China, and Vancouver on Air Canada. Two daytime transcontinental routes
were also added: Baltimore/Washington on Southwest, and Charlotte (seasonal)
on American Airlines.
SJC airlines also added more flights or larger-size aircraft to Atlanta, Dallas/Fort
Worth, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Salt Lake City, and San Diego.
“2016 was a game-changing year for Silicon Valley’s airport, with the addition of
four new international destinations and several new domestic routes,” said San
José Mayor Sam Liccardo. “I’d like to thank our 14 airlines for their confidence
and investments in SJC, as well as the many partners who have been integral to
achieving this double-digit growth, including our dedicated airport staff, Silicon
Valley business partners, and the millions of travelers who choose SJC.”
Fourth Consecutive Year of Solid Passenger Growth in 2016
“I am so proud of the Airport team’s work in achieving a fourth consecutive year
of solid passenger growth in 2016,” said Director of Aviation Kim Becker. “With
new and expanded airline service, we also achieved the distinction as No. 1 of
50 U.S. airports for passenger capacity growth in the calendar year, which is a
significant accomplishment.”
“Also of importance, this growth has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in
local economic impact, and has created new jobs at the Airport and within our
community,” Becker continued.
The new international flights joined SJC’s existing international services on Alaska
Airlines (Cabo San Lucas and Guadalajara), All Nippon Airways (Tokyo), Hainan
(Beijing), and Volaris (Guadalajara).
2017 Flight Preview
The passenger growth trend will continue in the first six months of 2017, with
several new service additions ahead providing even more options for Silicon
Valley travelers and visitors alike:
– JetBlue to Long Beach – four times daily (began Jan. 4)
– United to Chicago/O’Hare – twice daily, and daily to Newark/New York
(March 9 and 10)
– Alaska to Newark/New York daily, and Burbank three-times daily (March 12
and 16)
– Air Canada to Vancouver (adds a third daily flight on May 1)
– American resumes daily Charlotte service (May 5)
– Delta to Atlanta (expands to three daily flights on May 25)
– Southwest to Reno – daily (June 4)
2016 Passenger Service Upgrades
With a focus on bringing more international and daytime, transcontinental flights
and offering an airport iconic to Silicon Valley, SJC introduced these traveler
enhancements in 2016:
– In the International Arrivals Building:
o $8.2 million expansion and renovation (Spring 2017 completion)
o The Mobile Passport Control app and Automated Passport Control kiosks
Fourth Consecutive Year of Solid Passenger Growth in 2016
– New and improved concessions in Terminal B
o Flames Eatery & Bar, Pizza My Heart, Smashburger, and a super-sized
Hudson news and gift shop
o Robot customer service agents in the terminals post-security
2017 Passenger Service Focus
There are more passenger service enhancements ahead in 2017, including:
– Modernizing the Terminal A Ground Transportation Service Center
– Placing a new monument sign with a digital feature at Coleman Avenue and
Airport Boulevard (one of two SJC gateways)
– Adding two new gates (29 and 30) in Terminal B to add airline scheduling
flexibility and minimize passenger walking (anticipated completion in summer)
– The iPal Playground, an interactive play space featuring iPal robots which are
currently entertaining kids ages 3-8 at Gate 25
– More and improved retail concessions offerings
SJC: Transforming How Silicon Valley Travels
Mineta San José International Airport is Silicon Valley’s airport, a self-supporting
enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José. SJC serves 10.8 million
passengers annually, with 173 peak daily departures on 14 international and
domestic carriers to 40 nonstop destinations. For more airport information, visit
flysanjose.com.
