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ALPENA — In 2025, the Alpena County Regional Airport posted the most enplanements in one year since 2013, according to an email from Airport Manager Mick Higgins.

Last year, the airport had 12,888 total enplanements. There were 985 enplanements in December alone, which is an increase from 893 from December 2024. The total number of enplanements in 2024 was 11,150.

Last year’s total ensures the airport that it will receive its $1 million subsidy from the U.S. Department of Transportation for being a member of the Essential Air Service Program.

When the airport reaches 10,000 enplanements during the calendar year, it receives $1 million to use for operations or equipment.

Higgins said there is typically an influx of enplanement numbers due to the holiday season in November and December and that was the case again during the Christmas season last year.

Higgins said despite some poor weather, there were only two flight cancellations last month and that was due to logistical problems at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and not any issues with Alpena’s airport operations.

There have been a couple of delays due to the weather conditions causing low visibility, Higgins added..

“Even with the bad weather we’ve been able to keep the aircraft on track,” he said.

As for 2026 goals, Higgins said he would like to see enplanement numbers increase even more.

“We’re working on better reliability for our passengers to have a better schedule to fly out of Alpena,” he said.

So far, it looks like numbers are up again in January.

Higgins said the airport has been consistent with numbers on the increase, and he’d like to retain at least the same numbers they had last year, if not a little bit more.

As for the rest of the winter, Higgins said he is hoping the weather holds out and that the airport can get passengers flown out on time.

Higgins said it’s encouraging to have such a great year considering he just started his position in July. It’s been satisfying to see the number of happy passengers.

“It’s great to have the numbers going in the right direction,” he said.

He would like to see the efficiency of the airport improve and see more happy passengers. He mentioned that there are plans for new hangars to be built soon.

“Everything is in a positive aspect,” Higgins said.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.