Traverse City’s own Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is the “Air Carrier Airport of the Year,” according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

In a press release sent out Tuesday morning, MDOT shared a series of award winners “for achievements in promoting and improving aviation in the state.” Those prizes, which were announced last week at the 2025 Michigan Airport Conference in Lansing, are “presented to airports and consultants who have been nominated by MDOT Office of Aeronautics staff and airport community members.”

TVC came away with the Air Carrier Airport of the Year Award, “in recognition of sustained excellence and partnership toward aviation progress in the state of Michigan.”

“The airport's leadership and staff are commended for their efforts in creating a new zoning ordinance to ensure the safety of the aviating public,” MDOT noted in the release. “Cherry Capital Airport also is recognized for its leadership in air service recruitment and retention in the state, which continues to build on the excellent service provided to the aviation community.”

“This award is a testament to the hard-working, dedicated staff at TVC, and passenger support,” TVC CEO Kevin Klein said. “When a community is dedicated to flying locally, the entire region benefits enormously. I'm incredibly proud of Team TVC and our community.”

TVC logged a record-breaking year in 2024, tallying a total passenger count of 787,114. That number was a 12.3 percent increase over 2023, which itself was a record-breaker with 700,699 passengers.