Atlanta retains biggest airport crown as passengers pass 100m mark again in 2023

Passenger numbers at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International airport increased almost 12% in 2023 to reach 104.7m, ensuring the Delta Air Lines hub will retain its position as the busiest airport in the world. Atlanta has for many years been the biggest airport in the world by passenger, bar the pandemic-fuelled exception of 2020 when Chinese airport Guangzhou – boosted by the early reopening of the large Chinese domestic market – led the way. It reclaimed its position as the busiest airport in the world in 2021, and while 2023 passenger traffic statistics for many leading airports are still to be disclosed, another year of strong growth means Atlanta remained the biggest airport by passenger number last year. Passenger levels at Atlanta increased 11.6% from 93.7m to almost 104.7m in 2023. That was driven by an almost 10% rise in domestic passengers to 91.8m and a 29% jump in international passengers to 12.8m. Delta, the airport’s biggest customer, accounted for almost three-quarters of passengers in 2023 at Atlanta. Southwest, which transported 4m passengers through Atlanta, was the second biggest operator with an 8% share. It marks the first time Atlanta has passed the 100m passenger mark since the pandemic, but levels remain below the pre-crisis high of 110.5m. While 2022’s second biggest airport, Dallas/Fort Worth, has not yet published full-year figures, data for the 12 months to November 2023 shows growth at a similar 11% pace to just over 81m. Denver airport, the third biggest airport in 2022, recorded a 12% rise in passenger numbers to 77.8m. That is 13% above pre-crisis levels of 69.3m.<br/>