The Akron-Canton Airport may be smaller than others in the vicinity, but it offers big perks for travelers who want to avoid the hassles and stress of larger airports.

“Travel is stressful these days, and we offer a really relaxing experience,” says Kristie Van Auken, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer. “We have shorter walks and shorter lines. It all just feels better. People automatically take a deep breath and say, ‘Ah!,' when they walk in. They feel relieved.”

From comfy lounge chairs and big-screen televisions to well-equipped workstations and free Wi-Fi, the airport is all about traveler comfort. But it’s also about value.

AirTran has the Most CAK Traffic

“We have the lowest average airfare of any airport in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania combined,” Van Auken says, noting that CAK is ranked as the seventh most affordable airport in the nation. “AirTran Airways moves 51 percent of our business out of our airport. Between AirTran and Frontier, which serves western-bound travelers, we carry the lowest fares.”

“AirTran Airways is proud to partner with the Akron-Canton Airport to serve the people of Northeast Ohio with our brand of low fares and high-quality service,” says Tad Hutcheson, AirTran vice president of marketing and sales. “We have grown our service at Akron-Canton over the years, and the airport has always been a strong supporter of any new service we add.” 

Other carriers based at CAK include Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express. Business travelers can make daily round-trips to New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and several destinations in Florida. 

CAK Extends Runway, Adds Flights

The focus on comfort and cost has resulted in a steady increase in passenger traffic. While passenger traffic has declined at most airports across the country, it continues to rise in Akron, doubling over the past decade to about 1.5 million passengers. In 2010, the airport saw eight months of record-breaking numbers, as new flights were added and the airport continued to implement its $110 million CAK 2018 expansion plan.

In November 2010, officials commissioned a $60 million runway extension project, enabling passengers to fly non-stop to the West Coast, Canada and Mexico.

Also either on the planning board or in the process of implementation: a new aircraft rescue and fire-fighting maintenance facility, a new customs and border patrol building, and parking, ticketing and TSA screening area expansions.

“The idea for us as a public asset is to continue to make improvements so that the airport enhances the community,” Van Auken says. “With an airfield, we must meet several compliances and the process takes time. It took 10 years from the moment we conceived of the runway extension to the time of completion. We always have to plan ahead.”

The airport reaches out to its frequent-flier base via social media, using Twitter and Facebook (18,000 fans and counting), earning it a position on Forbes magazine’s “Top 10 Social Media Airports.”

With 47 direct airport employees and 1,000 people employed on the entire campus, the airport boasts a $400 million economic impact on the Akron area.

“When you have an asset like this that’s thriving, it brings hope and breeds enthusiasm and builds community pride,” Van Auken says. “It’s been a boost, and it means something good is happening here. It’s a really powerful force for this region.”