This Major U.S. Airport Was Just Named the Busiest in the World

Travel is back, and so are busy airports.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has once again been crowned the busiest airport in the world, serving a whopping 104.6 million travelers in 2023.

The Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, published its annual rankings on Monday. Most notably, Atlanta’s international airport saw an 11.7% increase in traffic from the previous year when it also ranked as the busiest airport in the world.  

The demand for domestic flights remained robust, with ACI’s report indicating a recovery of 96.8% of the 2019 passenger traffic level. However, the most encouraging trend was the resurgence of international air travel, which experienced a robust 36.5% growth and welcomed 90.4% of passengers from pre-pandemic numbers in 2019. 

Related: The One Service That Makes Getting Through the Airport Easier Every Time

“Global air travel in 2023 was chiefly fuelled by the international segment, propelled by several factors,” ACI’s world director general, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, said in a statement. “Among these were the anticipated benefits from China’s reopening and a growing inclination towards travel despite macroeconomic conditions.”

Five major U.S. airports made the top 10 list. Atlanta was followed by Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (#3), Denver International Airport (#6), Los Angeles International Airport (#8), and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (#9). 

For the first time, Dubai International Airport outranked Dallas-Fort Worth, coming in as the second busiest airport in the world with over 79 million passengers. Out of all global airports, Tokyo-Haneda International Airport saw the biggest increase in passengers — a 55.1% increase from the previous year as Japan opened its borders for international travel. 

“The rankings highlight the crucial role these transportation hubs play in global connectivity, commerce, and economic development,” Felipe de Oliveria continued. “Airports continue to demonstrate their resilience and adaptability amidst the challenges posed by the ever-evolving landscape of global travel.”

The total tally for last year? Nearly 8.5 billion passengers worldwide, the report found, an increase of more than 25% compared to 2022.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.