Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport reported a record number of passengers in 2011, maintaining its position as the world's busiest airport.

A total of 92.4 million passengers used the airport last year, 3.5 percent higher than 2010 levels. The growth included a nearly 8 percent increase in international passenger counts.

The previous record for Hartsfield-Jackson passenger counts was 2008, when 90 million passengers used the airport.

Even though passenger counts increased, airplane takeoffs and landings decreased as airlines cut back the use of smaller regional aircraft.

Air cargo, measured in metric tons, grew 0.61 percent, and international cargo was flat.

Though Hartsfield-Jackson is the world's busiest airports, other airports around the world are racing to catch up and surpass Atlanta -- including Beijing and Dubai.

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Postcard depicting the predecessor to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Candler Field, c. 1927. The city signed a lease with Asa Candler to open the airfield in 1925. (Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center)

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez