MONTEREY – The Monterey Regional Airport is commemorating its 85th anniversary and highlighting several achievements, such as achieving another record-breaking year in 2025 with over 600,000 travelers served.
The airport handled 659,867 passengers who departed or arrived during the past year, marking a 6.3% rise compared to the previous year and setting a new high for the number of travelers processed annually at the facility. This surge in passenger numbers is attributed to an increase in available seating, as airlines introduced bigger planes and more flights to meet the growing demand for travel to and from the Monterey area. The airport’s prior highest figure was 637,903 passengers in 1978.
Monterey Regional Airport’s Executive Director, Chris Morello, stated that the airport’s successful track record is due to airlines seeing the Monterey region as a key economic driver and an appealing place to visit, leading them to allocate staff, aircraft, and additional resources in this area.
The Monterey Regional Airport anticipates handling a greater number of travelers in 2026. Longtime collaborator United Airlines will introduce direct flights between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and the Monterey airport starting May 23. United will use Boeing 737-800 planes for this route and plans to boost the number of flights as passenger demand grows.
United Airlines will also expand the number of passenger seats available to Los Angeles International Airport and Denver International Airport, which are currently served routes, in April and May respectively.
Replacing Embraer 175 planes with Boeing 737-800s, United will increase the number of daily departing and arriving seats by about 90 on each route. This marks the first time in 25 years that mainline United Airlines aircraft will be based in Monterey, instead of their regional affiliates.
In addition to setting a new record for passengers served in 2025, introducing a new nonstop route, and increasing seating capacity on existing routes in 2026, the Monterey airport was given a positive assessment regarding short-term terminal revenue financing.
Monterey Regional Airport achieved its highest passenger numbers in 2025, leading to a ‘A-/A-2’ dual rating from S&P Global Ratings, with a stable outlook. In February, the Monterey Peninsula Airports District obtained a $50 million short-term revenue loan to support the MRY Metamorphosis Safety Enhancement Program, which involves building a new 63,000-square-foot passenger terminal that is currently under construction.
In its report, S&P noted that Monterey Regional Airport has a solid foundation of air travel demand, driven by a strong origin and destination market. This is reinforced by the Monterey area’s status as a popular tourist spot and its positive economic environment. The report also pointed out the airport’s prudent budgeting methods, financial goals, and rates set through ordinance, which help the airport sustain strong financial performance.
This is the first instance where the Monterey Regional Airport has received a public evaluation.
Ongoing Passenger-Facing Safety Improvement Program initiatives are moving forward, with the new terminal expected to debut in early summer 2027. Monterey Regional Airport received recognition from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure for its deliberate focus on sustainability at the commercial aircraft apron, situated next to the new terminal and finished in the fall.
The Monterey airport received an Envision Verified rating for its project design, planning, and construction. This included redirecting 99.51% of construction waste away from landfills, employing a new method for carbon capture by using CO2 during the concrete curing process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguarding vulnerable plant species during construction via an erosion control plan.
The Monterey Peninsula Airport District will celebrate 85 years as a special district authority on March 22, the day the district was created through Senate Bill 1300 in 1941. This achievement will be honored throughout the year with events for employees and the public at the airport.
Monterey Regional Airport is a commercial airport spanning almost 500 acres, not classified as a hub, and served by four primary airlines — Alaska, Allegiant, American, and United — providing direct travel options to multiple locations. Additionally, the airport features two full-service fixed-base operators — Del Monte Aviation and Monterey Jet Center. The facility includes 211 hangars and parking spots, along with 55 business establishments.
Currently, passengers can fly non-stop with Alaska Airlines to Seattle and San Diego, Allegiant Air to Las Vegas, American Airlines to Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix, and United Airlines to Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The Monterey airport also provides seasonal direct flights to Burbank, Carlsbad, and Orange County via JSX from the Monterey Jet Center.
