More Flights, More Passengers: Waterloo Airport Celebrates Milestone Year

It's not hard to find places to fly from in Iowa. Obviously, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids have excellent airports with numerous options.

But the Waterloo Regional Airport, often known by its airport code ALO, is no pushover. In fact, in 2025, the airport will have reached new milestones!

The Waterloo Regional Airport Celebrates a Big Year

The Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO) is flying high in 2025, celebrating a string of wins that signal a new era of growth for the Cedar Valley’s hometown airport.

Get our free mobile app

Expanded flight options, record-setting passenger counts, and new state investment are helping ALO establish itself as a convenient and competitive choice for travelers across the region.

READ MORE: What Led to the Sudden Closure of a Waterloo Restaurant?

In April, ALO introduced an early morning departure and evening return, giving both business and leisure travelers more flexibility.

Just two months later, in June, the airport welcomed a larger American Airlines aircraft equipped with first-class seating, Main Cabin Extra, in-flight Wi-Fi, and entertainment.

The upgrades have added both comfort and connectivity for passengers.

ALO: Passenger Counts Are on the Rise

The changes are paying off. July brought the highest number of enplanements at ALO since May 2019, with more than 4,100 passengers boarding flights that month, double the numbers from 2024.

Mobility data also shows that travelers from more than 400 U.S. ZIP codes used ALO in June and July, underscoring the airport’s growing appeal.

With American Airlines offering connections to more than 175 destinations from ALO with just one stop, Cedar Valley travelers now have access to nearly anywhere in the country, and beyond, without the stress of a long drive to larger airports.

Why the Waterloo Airport

ALO’s location remains one of its biggest selling points.

The airport is only 10 minutes from Cedar Falls’ W 12th & Hudson Road, 15 minutes or less from the south side of Waterloo, and 17 minutes from Waverly.

READ MORE: Is Waterloo One of the Cheapest Places to Live in Iowa?

For many, it’s a quicker and easier choice than driving hours out of town.

For specific flight details, you can visit the airport's flights page here.

Not traveling? Check out our top-rated restaurants in the Cedar Valley!