NASHVILLE (AP) - More than 11.6 million passengers traveled through the Nashville airport in 2015, a new record in the facility's nearly 80-year history.

The passenger total marked a 6 percent increase over the previous year.

The airport celebrated several improvements in 2015, including the announcement of new nonstop service to San Francisco on United Airlines and Seattle on Alaska Airlines. JetBlue also is also offering nonstop service to Boston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The airport broke ground on a geothermal lake plate cooling system that is expected to save more than $430,000 per year in utility costs.

The Nashville airport is launching a $240 million project to bring more parking and passenger bridges to the facility that will include another cellphone waiting area, a new express valet lot and a new parking garage.