ATLANTA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is still the world’s busiest airport after setting a record for passengers last year.
New numbers show 2012 was the busiest year on record for the airport and marks the 15th consecutive year the airport has picked up the title of world’s busiest.
In total, 95.49 million passengers passed through the airport last year. That’s nearly 3.4 percent higher than the 92.39 million passengers who passed through the airport in 2011, which was the previous passenger record.
“Hartsfield-Jackson is more than a busy aviation hub,” Louis Miller, aviation general manager, said in a statement. “For many travelers, it’s a destination place to purchase a last-minute gift, enjoy a quiet meal, or simply unwind with select spa services before boarding their flight.”
Added Miller: “And, as the world’s busiest airport, we understand the importance of providing the best services for both business and leisure travelers.”
Beijing Capital International Airport was the world’s second busiest airport while London Heathrow ranked third.
The number of landings and takeoffs at Atlanta’s airport in 2012 increased by .68 percent compared to a year earlier – from 923,996 in 2011 to 930,310 in 2012. During the year, the number of domestic landings and takeoffs increased by .81 percent – from 855,215 in 2011 to 862,101 in 2012, numbers from the airport show.
“Passenger demand grew strongly in 2012 despite the economic bad news that dominated much of the last twelve months,” International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General and CEO Tony Tyler said in a statement. “This demonstrates just how integral global air travel is for today’s connected world.”
In addition to its title as world’s busiest, a survey released late last month found Hartsfield was the best airport for travelers with connecting flights. The airport was also named the best for amenities and dining while also topping the list as the airport with the “best services for business travelers.”
In total, 40.5 percent of respondents named the Atlanta airport as the nation’s best for people with flight connections. Coincidentally, the Atlanta airport was also named by 33 percent of respondents as the worst, ranking it third on the list travelers with connections should avoid; Chicago’s O’Hare topped that list.