Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson again named world's busiest airport with over 100 million passengers

April 15th, 2024

According to the Airports Council International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has once again been named the busiest airport worldwide, a title held every year by the airport, except 2020, since 1998. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has once again been named the busiest airport worldwide.

According to Airport Council International (ACI), the facility saw approximately 104.7 million passengers come through its terminals in 2023. That’s an 11% increase from the previous year.

Dubai International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport ranked second and third behind Atlanta. The airport also received the 2023 Airport Service Quality Award by the ACI.

With the exception of 2020, when travel saw a sharp decline overall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hartsfield-Jackson has held the title for over two decades.

“Securing the title of the world’s busiest airport once again is credited to the dedication and passion of the entire ATL team,” said Airport General Manager Balram “B” Bheodari in a recent press release. “Our shared vision of One Team, and our relentless pursuit of excellence keep us at the pinnacle of global aviation. Every takeoff, every landing and every passenger served is a chapter in our ongoing story of success and service.”

The complex includes seven terminals and 192 gates — 152 domestic and 40 international.

In addition to being the headquarters for Delta Air Lines, Hartsfield employs roughly 63,000 workers and brings in a direct economic impact of $34.8 billion to the metro Atlanta area.

“ATL’s success is Atlanta’s success and being home to the world’s busiest airport underscores our city’s economic vitality,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens on the achievement. “It is a testament to our global connectivity and an affirmation of our city’s place on the world stage.”

There is a string of construction projects in development to make the airport’s facilities more accessible for its 286,000 daily passengers.

With the airport’s MARTA station currently undergoing renovations, Concourse D is also in the process of a six-year, $1.6 billion expansion, which began in early 2023.

Hartsfield-Jackson also received $44 million recently as part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The money will go toward upgrading restrooms, hold rooms and corridors at the facility.