Friday, March 22, 2002
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Friday, March 22, 2002 |
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Still the world's busiest
More than 75 million passengers used Hartsfield last yearHartsfield Atlanta International Airport's passenger traffic reached 75.9 million during 2001, making it the world's busiest passenger airport. The figure represents a 5.4 percent decrease in passenger volume from Hartsfield's 2000 record passenger total of 80.2 million. Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta attributes the passenger traffic decline, in part, to the effects of the worldwide economic slowdown beginning in early 2001, as well as the impact of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. Although Hartsfield experienced a reduction in passenger volume in comparison to the previous year the airport's annual average growth for the five-year period from 1995 to 2000 increased 6.81 percent, nearly double the national average passenger growth of 3.6 percent. "We believe that when Airports Council International releases its 2001 worldwide passenger traffic results at the end of the month, Hartsfield will again have the distinction of being the world's busiest passenger airport," DeCosta said. When comparing Hartsfield's 2001 passenger volume to major airports in Chicago, Dallas/ Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, and New York, Hartsfield experienced the least significant decline in the percentage of passenger traffic. "Considering the many challenges we faced in 2001, we are proud of our efforts to provide our customers with world-class service, and look forward to exceeding our customers' expectations in the days and months ahead," said DeCosta. For additional information on Hartsfield Airport, visit the Web site at www.atlanta-airport.com.
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