A total of 113,320 passengers flew in and out of San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport during the first quarter of 2019, a 15 percent increase over 98,516 passengers in the same timeframe last year.

Airport officials said it was the busiest first quarter in its history.

Last year was the airport’s busiest year on record, and this year’s passenger count continues its five-year growth trend.

In September, the airport was named one of the fastest growing airports in North America by the Airports Council International of North America.

“Our strong passenger growth is exciting, consistent, and sustainable,” said airport Director Kevin Bumen, in an April 29 news release. “March marked the 27th month of consecutive passenger increases at the airport, and we’ve now doubled our passenger count from five years ago. We’re thrilled that our neighbors keep choosing to fly out of their hometown airport, and we will continue to provide them with the amenities and flights that keep them coming back.”

On April 2, American Airlines began daily nonstop service from the SLO airport to Dallas/Ft. Worth.

• Contact Annabelle Blair at ablair@pacbiztimes.com.