NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — After being named the best domestic airport in the country, Norfolk International Airport is now celebrating another win: the largest-ever number of travelers to go through the airport in a single day.

On Sunday, July 6, 11,522 people got on a plane at Norfolk International. A majority of those travelers were returning home after spending their Fourth of July holiday in Hampton Roads.

President and CEO of the Norfolk Airport Authority Mark Perryman said that around this time last year the airport didn’t record more than 10,000 in a single day.

“Success breeds success at the end of the day,” Perryman said. “So, we’re growing because the region’s growing. There’s a reason why we have airlines wanting to serve more destinations here. It’s because there’s a demand here.”

The increase in the number of travelers is leading to physical growth of the airport. Perryman outlined to 10 On Your Side all of the projects in the works, which include extending the departures terminal, a new state-of-the-art rental car facility, a new federal inspection services building, a hotel and a new hangar for private aircrafts.

“We are at the beginning of, a probably about a five-year window of major overhaul of this airport.” Perryman said. “You’re going to see a lot of ‘pardon our dust’ please be patient with us.”