The Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO) is celebrating continued momentum as October 2025 delivered the airport’s highest number of passenger boardings since May 2019, solidifying ALO’s resurgence and strong competitive position in Eastern Iowa’s aviation market. With monthly boardings approaching 2,000 passengers, the airport is experiencing one of its strongest years in more than six years.
This milestone caps off a year of expanded service, strategic investments, and growing traveler preference for ALO’s convenience, proximity, and improved flight options.
On April 4, 2025, ALO added a new early-morning departure and evening return, giving business and leisure travelers more flexibility. On June 5, 2025, American Airlines upgraded ALO service to a larger aircraft featuring First Class, Main Cabin Extra, in-flight Wi-Fi, and entertainment, enhancing comfort and expanding capacity. In July 2025, the airport recorded its highest passenger boardings since 2019, and that momentum continued into October with the largest single-month total in six years and nearly double the 2024 numbers.
Travelers are choosing Waterloo from farther distances as well; cell phone mobility data shows visitors from 407 U.S. ZIP codes used ALO in June and July 2025, reinforcing its growing regional appeal for commercial and private aviation.
“Reliable air service isn’t just a convenience for travelers; it’s a catalyst for economic growth. Every successful flight brings new opportunities for business expansion, tourism, and workforce mobility across the Cedar Valley,” said Steven Kjergaard, Director of Aviation for ALO.
American Airlines continues to expand ALO’s one-stop global reach from Chicago O’Hare (ORD). Beginning this fall and winter, passengers flying from Waterloo will enjoy streamlined access to new and expanded one-stop destinations across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and key U.S. markets.
These additions include new service to cities such as Guatemala City, Mexico City, Queretaro, San José, Sint Maarten, Curaçao, St. Croix, and expanded seasonal service to Missoula, Santa Fe, and Sun Valley. This expanded connectivity strengthens ALO’s position as one of the easiest and fastest gateways in Eastern Iowa for reaching international and leisure travel destinations.