The Nashville International Airport (BNA) saw its passenger traffic increase 3.2 percent from the first quarter of this year compared to Q1 2012, the Metro Nashville Airport Authority announced Thursday.

By comparison, passenger traffic in North American airports collectively rose 0.8 percent from Q1 2012 to Q1 2013.

For April, BNA accommodated about 865,000 passengers. It recorded about 819,600 passengers in April 2012. The jump is an increase of 5.54 percent.

Nashville International Airport has announced the addition of two daily nonstop flights to Pensacola, Fla. 

Beginning Nov. 3, Southwest will offer the service with 9:40 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. departures. The announcement marks 33 nonstop destinations for Southwest served via BNA.

“The addition of two daily nonstop flights to Pensacola will be an ideal option for many of our passengers – business, military and leisure travelers,” Rob Wigington, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, said in a release. “The Airport Authority, in conjunction with the airlines, is continually working to provide additional air service and destinations to our passengers.”

Nashville International Airport is currently served by 10 airlines and offers 380 daily arriving and departing flights. Nashville International provides nonstop air service to 49 markets.
 

The Transportation Security Administration has launched its PreCheck program for eligible passengers departing from Nashville International Airport (BNA).

The program, which began Wednesday at both BNA and Memphis International Airport, is targeted toward Nashville International Airport  passengers traveling via American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways and to those members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler programs. Those eligible to participate may receive expedited screening benefits at BNA’s main checkpoint.

TSA PreCheck is part of the agency’s larger effort to “implement risk-based security concepts that enhance security by focusing efforts on travelers considered higher risk and about whom the agency knows less."

To date, more than 7.5 million passengers have experienced TSA PreCheck. By the end of March, the program will be available in 40 airports for eligible passengers traveling on Alaska, American, Delta, United and US Airways.

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has named Shannon Sumrall manager of corporate communications.

In this role, Sumrall (pictured) will serve as spokesperson and manage all aspects of media relations for Nashville International and John C. Tune airports. In addition, she will coordinate internal and external communications as well as assist with marketing and advertising efforts to promote airport services and the MNAA mission.

Previously, Sumrall served as public information officer for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Sumrall is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in public relations.

“Shannon’s experience in media relations and communications will add depth to our organization’s expanded communications efforts as we continue to publicize and promote the ‘Nashville Airports Experience’ — serving as great airports for our passengers, business partners and employees,” Rob Wigington, MNAA president and CEO, said in a release.

The Nashville International Airport recorded 689,046 passengers in February, a 0.8 percent increase over the 683,551 passengers who used BNA in February 2012, according to Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority numbers released today.

The figure represents the second-best February passenger total BNA has ever seen, with the record (700,837) having been set in February 2008.

Southwest Airlines announced today two new nonstop flights between Nashville International Airport (BNA) and both LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. 

“Nashville International is pleased to give our passengers more options to connect to the Big Apple,” Rob Wigington, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, said in a release. “New York City and Newark are popular business and leisure markets for Music City.”

Eli Rodriquez, Southwest’s Nashville station leader, said that the improved connectivity between the two cities shows Southwest’s commitment to Nashville and BNA.

Southwest Airlines began service to Nashville in 1986. Since then, the company has grown its operation to more than 77 daily nonstop departures to nearly 30 cities. From Nashville, and specifically, Southwest offers eight daily nonstop departures to Chicago and Houston.

Nashville International Airport (BNA) today announced the addition of a daily nonstop flight to Pittsburgh, with Southwest Airlines to begin service Sept. 29.

This marks 32 nonstop destinations for Southwest served via BNA.

“This is a big win for Nashville International Airport, as we have heard time and time again the need for nonstop services to Pittsburgh,” Rob Wigington, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, said in a release.  “We are committed to growing Nashville’s air service by continuously attracting new destinations and nonstop services and delivering the ‘Nashville Airports Experience’ to our passengers.”

Nashville International is served by 10 airlines and offers 380 daily arriving and departing flights, with nonstop air service to 52 markets.

Earlier this year, Wigington said he is hoping to secure a nonstop flight to San Francisco, among other cities.

Aeromexico will begin nonstop service between Cancun, Mexico, and Nashville International Airport on Feb. 16 and run seasonal service through Aug. 11, airport officials announced today.

The flight will depart from BNA on Saturday evenings and return from CUN on Sunday mornings. The new flights will be sold through Atlanta-based Vacation Express.

“We are pleased to welcome Aeromexico to BNA," Rob Wigington, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which owns and operates BNA, said in a release. "The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority is focused on adding additional nonstop service to Cancun and other destinations. We are working hard to offer new destinations that our business community and leisure travelers want and markets that help Nashville attract more conventions and corporate relocations.”