Week of October 27, 2011
| Miami tops nation in air passenger increases By Scott BlakeMiami International Airport's passenger traffic is growing faster this year than any other major US airport. Miami International drew 25.81 million passengers from January through August, up 7% from 24.12 million during the same period last year, newly released air traffic statistics show. Among the nation's top 15 airports, Miami outpaced passenger growth of 6.1% at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, 5.6% at Los Angeles International Airport, 4.7% at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and 4.2% at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. In addition, Miami International topped passenger growth at other tourist destinations such as McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas (3.9%) and Orlando International Airport (2.8%). Most of the growth in Miami came from international passengers, up 8.7% to 13.72 million from January through September, statistics show. That included a 9.6% increase in total passenger traffic in September compared with September 2010. Last month's totals included a 12.7% increase in international passengers and a 6.8% increase in domestic passengers. Miami International is on pace to have its busiest year ever, airport officials said this week. Officials attributed the trend to increased passenger counts by American Airlines, Miami's main carrier, as well as new and expanded service by other airlines. As a result, Miami International was named "US Airport with the Most New Airlines in 2011" by Anna.aero, a web site devoted to airline route news and analysis. In total passengers, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International led all US airports with 62.26 million from January through August. Chicago O'Hare International Airport was second with 44.72 million. Miami International was 12th in total passengers. To read the entire issue of Miami Today online, subscribe to e -Miami Today, an exact digital replica of the printed edition. |
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