NEW HAVEN – Tweed-New Haven Airport has now served more than 4 million total passengers since 2020, representing its role as a powerful driver of tourism and economic opportunity for Southern Connecticut, airport officials announced last week.
The airport was able to attain its record growth despite being shut down for a six-week period during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Its recent success has been the most extraordinary period of growth in its 94-year history.
“This achievement underscores what we’ve long known: there is extraordinary demand for convenient and accessible air travel in Southern Connecticut,” said Michael Jones, CEO of The New HVN. “We are deeply grateful for the travelers who choose HVN, the dedicated teams who make up our airport community, and the strong foundation we’ve built together over the past four years to reach this milestone.”
That momentum has extended beyond the airfield — fueling the restaurants, hotels, and small businesses that power Southern Connecticut’s economy. It reflects not only the continued rise in passenger demand but also the ripple effect of the airport’s growth across the region, according to airport officials.
Some of the economic growth includes:
- New Haven ranked No. 8 globally on U.K.-based travel search platform Skyscanner’s “Top Trending Destinations for 2026,” driven by a 39% year-over-year increase in flight searches.
- Car rentals averaged 2,400 in June 2025.
- 1.4 million passengers are expected over the next year, including more than 175,000 out-of-state visitors.
- Employment has grown to more than 780 employees across 25 different companies operating on the airport campus — up from just 210 in 2020.
- The airport now offers 33 destinations through Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways —bringing access to new markets, new destinations, and new possibilities closer to home.
- The airport is projected to generate a $444 million statewide economic impact by 2027, aligned with construction of its new terminal and runway extension plans.
Robert Reed, chairman of the New Haven Airport Authority, emphasized the importance of this milestone for the community.
“This is proof that Tweed has become an essential part of the fabric of New Haven and the region,” he said. “Every new passenger, every car rental, and every visitor staying in our hotels or dining in our restaurants represents an investment back into our neighborhoods.”
Tourism leaders also celebrated the milestone as a win for Connecticut’s broader visitor economy.
“Connecticut wins when it’s easier for people to get here, and Tweed is helping make that possible,” said Anthony Anthony, CMO for the State of Connecticut. “The rise in passenger traffic means more travelers are discovering our shoreline towns, cultural attractions, and unique dining experiences, like the nation’s best pizza. This is a moment of pride for the economic development community and an opportunity to showcase the very best of Southern Connecticut to new audiences.”
To be sure, Tweed’s neighbors opposed airport expansion, not out of certainty of failure, but out of fear of success.
For years it was an open secret among the airlines of Tweed’s potential market for Southern Connecticut-Florida service. All that was needed was for the airport to improve itself to accommodate contemporary jet aircraft and the subsequent passenger increase.
Southwest Airlines was skittish about entering Tweed because they feared (quite correctly, I might add) that Fort Hale Road was incapable of handling the increase in vehicular traffic.
Allegiant Airlines proposed Florida service but couldn’t quite commit.
It took Avelo Airlines and the 737-700s and 800s to come in and reap the benefits. And now, Breeze Airways is also serving the airport with their A-220s.
The impending runway extension and new passenger terminal will only improve the air travel experience out of Southern Connecticut.