SFO welcomes 50 millionth passenger of 2015

San Francisco International Airport welcomed its 50 millionth passenger in 2015, just hours before the start of the New Year.

The 50 million passengers traveling through SFO in a calendar year is an all-time record high for the airport in its 88-year history, officials said.

Officials from the airport announced Wednesday morning that passenger Katheryn Castanga of Arlington, Virginia was the 50 millionth passenger to travel through SFO this year. Castanga was about to board Virgin Airlines Flight 1 from SFO to Reagan National Airport.

Before she boarded, officials surprised Castanga at her gate before she boarded her plane at Terminal 2:

She won two round-trip tickets to Hawaii.

SFO’s Director John L. Martin said in a statement:

“I join all Airport employees in celebrating this milestone event in the history of SFO. The continued growth in passenger traffic at SFO reflects the strength of the San Francisco economy and a highly competitive air fare and air service environment at the Airport.”