Friday, February 21, 2003

Hartsfield retains title as world's busiest airport

Officials at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport announced last week that more than 76.8 million travelers passed through its facilities in 2002.

The annual passenger count positions Hartsfield as the "world's busiest" passenger airport for the fourth consecutive year over Chicago's O'Hare International.

According to airport officials, the state's economic engine surpassed O'Hare for the global title by more than 10 million passengers last year. The figure also represents a 1.33 percent increase in overall passenger volume versus the airport's 2001 total of 75.9 million passengers.

"This demonstrates Atlanta's strength in the marketplace and is a direct result of hard work and commitment from our hub carriers, Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways," said Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta.

"At Hartsfield, our primary focus is the customer. By constantly surveying and listening to our customers, the airport is able to provide a level of service that is second to none."

The general manager also stressed that exceeding customers' expectations can help build brand loyalty and ensure repeat business.

DeCosta continued, "In December, the airport accommodated more than 6.7 million travelers, the largest December passenger volume in Hartsfield's history. We served approximately 1 million more travelers in December 2002 than either of the two months during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta."

When comparing Hartsfield's 2002 passenger figures to other major U.S. airports including Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Miami International, and Los Angeles LAX, Hartsfield was the only airport to experience an increase in passenger volume.