Cherry Capital Airport had a record-setting year for passenger traffic in 2017, airport officials announced Wednesday.

Following a record-setting year in 2016, the airport's total passenger count in 2017 was 476,767 - a 5.6 percent increase over the previous year. Airport flight operations, or the number of takeoffs and landings, also increased 3.2 percent in 2017 over 2016.

“This is terrific news for our entire region," says Airport Director Kevin Klein, "as this growth in passengers confirms the overall economic impact to the entire northern Michigan catchment area – from Cadillac and Frankfort to Petoskey, and east to Gaylord, and north to the Mackinac Straights area. 2018 is looking very positive."

Klein says Cherry Capital Airport has focused on increasing business travel and offering a variety of flights. “Cherry Capital Airport has been working hard to make sure the region’s business traveler is not only valued, but prioritized," he says. "Since 2011, Cherry Capital Airport has worked diligently with the airlines to offer the best business focused schedule, not only in the summer, but year-round. Flight schedules have been a priority in airline meetings throughout the year."