Wichita ? Airport traffic in Wichita reached a record level in June, spurred by an improving economy and the attraction of discount airline service.

The passenger count at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport last month was 145,636, surpassing the previous record of 143,709 set in July 1992.

“This continued good news is just wonderful,” said Tom Nolan, the airport’s assistant director.

For the year, airport traffic is running 10 percent ahead of the first six months of 2003, which was considerably higher than the previous year.

A major factor in the turnaround from the time when some of the highest airfares in the country kept people from using the Wichita airport has been the service initiated in 2002 by discounter AirTran Airways. The city provided incentives of $4.5 million in loss guarantees and guaranteed business travel to attract AirTran to the market.

AirTran has collected most of that money after declaring losses, and this year the city promised an additional $2.5 million. AirTran has had higher passenger loads in recent months, but officials haven’t said whether the company was making money in Wichita.

The airport is spending an additional $350,000 to market AirTran and its low-cost Wichita tickets. Airport officials said the average domestic one-way fare at the airport was down 34 percent, from $208 to $138, since 2001.

Meanwhile, an advisory board has recommended replacing the airport’s 50-year-old terminal with a new one providing more amenities for passengers. If approved, the new two-story building would open in four years.

AirTran began using bigger planes July 1, replacing 50-seat regional jets with 117-seat Boeing Co. 717s. Analysts say the larger jets should boost passenger counts because they provide more budget-priced seats.

Airline analyst Mike Boyd said last month’s record in Wichita was a sign of better times to come as business picks up for Boeing. Passenger counts could rise another 20 percent during the next few years, he said.

“This is not a fluke,” Boyd said. “This is part of a major trend.”