Passenger totals jumped 19 percent during 2012 and set a record for the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island.
The total was almost 56,100, compared with nearly 47,100 in 2011.
The 2012 figure smashed the old record of nearly 51,400 in 1980.
Officials say that to meet the rising passenger demand, the airport is planning to build a replacement passenger terminal and expand parking.
The airport offers twice-weekly nonstop flights to Las Vegas and Phoenix-Mesa and daily nonstop jet service to Dallas/Fort Worth.
