St. Pete’s hometown airport is flying high. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport just celebrated a major milestone as it notched the busiest year of passenger traffic in its history. With non-stop routes to 65+ cities, PIE welcomed 2.49 million passengers in 2023.

The total bests 2022’s record-breaking number of 2.4 million and marks seven record-breaking years in the last nine years, with 2020 and 2021’s covid-affected seasons being the only ones not to set a new record in that span. A full six out of 12 months in 2023 set monthly highs, with July 2023 officially taking the spots as PIE’s biggest month in its history with 279,622 passengers. 

In their announcement, PIE credited Allegiant Air as a driving force behind the airport’s explosive growth over the years. Of the 124 airports Allegiant services, PIE is their third-busiest airport. In fact, the 59 cities Allegiant has direct trips to from PIE is the most of any single airline at any of the Tampa Bay area airports.

Of course, one great perk about PIE, in addition to its location, is the low airfare. PIE is actually in the top twenty of lowest domestic average airfare, they shared, out of over 400 airports that qualified for the U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Low-cost and non-stop service is the key to PIE’s success, they added.

Airport Director Tom Jewsbury said “We have an incredible team at PIE including our airport employees and volunteers, airlines, concession businesses, Transportation Security Administration, and FAA staff. Our airlines generated tremendous growth in destinations and passengers and everyone on Team PIE works together to create a ‘Go Easy’ customer experience and a safe and efficient airport.”

The rise in both arriving and departing fliers follows the region’s growth as tourist destination. While Tampa Bay and the St. Pete-Clearwater area were already popular places for both business and leisure travel, the region has boomed over the last few years as a desirable vacation spot, alongside the thousands who have permanently relocated to Tampa Bay.

Through a variety of airlines, PIE offers direct flights to such destinations as Asheville, Chattanooga, Indianapolis, Key West, Nashville, Pittsburgh and even Provo, Utah. Find the full list of 60-plus destinations here.