MIA ranked busiest U.S. international airport
Posted: 19 April 2022 | International Airport Review | No comments yet
Miami International Airport has been announced as the busiest U.S. gateway for international passengers and as the busiest for international freight in 2021, by the Airports Council International.
Credit: Miami Dade International Airport (MIA)
Miami International Airport (MIA) became the busiest U.S. gateway for international passengers while retaining its position as the busiest for international freight in 2021, according to preliminary 2021 airport rankings published this week by Airports Council International (ACI). MIA welcomed more than 13 million international passengers in 2021, moving it from second place in 2020 to the top ranking in the U.S. and 11th place in the world. MIA remained the busiest airport in the U.S. and the ninth busiest in the world for international tonnage handled, at more than two million metric tonnes.Ā
The global gateway is also now home to the ninth-busiest airfield in the world, with a total of 387,973 takeoffs and landings by passenger and cargo aircraft in 2021, for a 54 per cent increase over 2020,Ā the largest increase among the 10 busiest airports worldwide. MIAās ninth-place finish is its highest global ranking in aircraft operations in decades, and a giant leap from 24thĀ in 2020 and 30thĀ in 2019.
Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava commented: “Congratulations to MIA for moving up the ranks to become Americaās busiest entry point for international passengers and freight. MIA is connecting the world to Miami-Dade County like never before, with a growing number of travel options for passengers to choose from and busy trade routes across the globe.”
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MIA finished 2021 with a total of 37.2 million passengers, which was twice its total of 18.6 million in 2020. The global gateway also handled 2.7 million tonnes of freight in 2021, shattering its previous record of 2.3 million tonnes in 2020 by 17 per cent, for its second consecutive year of growth.
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Ralph CutiĆ©, MIA Director and CEO added: “Our improved rankings in international passenger traffic and flight operations are more examples of MIAās successful rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. MIA continues to attract new and returning airline partners that are expanding our passenger and cargo route networks.”
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Related topics
Air freight and cargo, Air traffic control/management (ATC/ATM), Airport development, Airport leadership, Airside operations, Cargo, COVID-19, Passenger experience and seamless travel, Passenger volumes, Terminal operations
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