Atlanta Loses Its Status As World's Busiest Airport After 20 Years — See the New No. 1

Atlanta was knocked off as the city with the world’s busiest airport last year, breaking a more than 20-year-long streak of packed terminals and constant air traffic.

Taking the top spot in 2020 was Guangzhou Bai Yun International Airport more than 43 million passengers in a beleaguered year painted by travel restrictions and warnings. It’s a major step up in the rankings — conducted by Airports Council International (ACI) World —for the southern Chinese city since it came in at No. 11 in 2019, but still represented a 40.4% drop in passenger traffic at the airport from the year before.

In fact, seven of the world’s busiest airports in 2020 were in China with major cities like Beijing and Shanghai gracing the list.

Video: Atlanta Loses Its Status As World’s Busiest Airport After 20 Years (Travel + Leisure)

• 

  Royal Caribbean's Newest Supersize Cruise Ship Will Make Its Debut in China Next Year

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  This New Apple Product Is the Secret to Never Losing Your Passport or Keys Again

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  These New RV Vacation Packages Are the Ultimate Way to Explore National Parks

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  6 Yoga Retreats in Beautiful Destinations Around the World

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  This Luxury Glamping Experience Outside of Dubai Offers Dome-Shaped Tents, Fire Pits, and

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  This Airstream Comes With a Private Pool, Cactus Garden, and Ocean Views in Aruba

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  France Becomes First Country in Europe to Launch Digital Health Pass for Travel

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• The Magic of the Desert Comes to Life at This Airbnb Tucked Away in a Saguaro Cactus Fores

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  Reunite With Your Friends on a Socially Distant Miami Getaway

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  This Rome Workcation Package Includes Park Yoga, Italian Lessons, and a Pasta-Making Class

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  Canada and U.S. Land Border Closure Extended for Non-essential Travel Another Month

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  Italy Wants to Crack Down on Over-Fluffed Gelato

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  Hawaiians Will Soon Be Able to Travel Between Islands Without Quarantine, Testing

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  State Department to Add More Than 100 Countries to 'Do Not Travel' List As COVID-19 Contin

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• American Airlines Is Bringing Back Beverage Service This Summer

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 

  You Could Get Paid $3,000 to Take More Coffee Breaks

  

  Travel + Leisure
  

• 
  Royal Caribbean's Newest Supersize Cruise Ship Will Make Its Debut in China Next Year
  The new Wonder of the Seas ship from Royal Caribbean is set to debut in Shanghai in March 2022.
  
  
  Travel + Leisure
  

• 
  This New Apple Product Is the Secret to Never Losing Your Passport or Keys Again
  Apple wants to help you find more than just your iPhone.
  
  
  Travel + Leisure
  

• 
  These New RV Vacation Packages Are the Ultimate Way to Explore National Parks
  Choose from drives through the Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, or Canyonlands.
  
  
  Travel + Leisure
  

“The impact of the COVID-19 on global passenger traffic… brought aviation to a virtual standstill in 2020 and we continue to face an existential threat,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said in a statement. “The data published today reveals the challenge airports continue to face and it remains imperative that the industry is supported through direct support and sensible policy decisions from governments to ensure that aviation can endure, rebuild connectivity, and fuel a global economic recovery.”

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (which came in at No. 2 this year after seeing a 61.2% drop in passengers compared to 2019), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (which took the No. 4 spot), and Denver International Airport (No. 7 on the list) rounded out the top 10.

Load Error

In total, passenger traffic at the world’s top 10 busiest airports decreased by about 45.7% in 2020, while passenger traffic at airports overall decreased by about 64.6%, according to ACI.

While passenger traffic came to a virtual halt, air cargo volume in the 10 busiest cargo hubs increased by 3% last year, which ACI attributed to an increase in demand for things like online consumer goods, pharmaceutical products, and personal protective equipment.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she’s not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.

Source: Read Full Article