CLT Ranks Fifth Busiest Airport Worldwide, Sixth in Passenger Traffic

CLT ranks the fifth busiest airport worldwide for arrivals and departures and sixth for passenger traffic, according to Airports Council International (ACI) 2021 preliminary rankings that were released April 11. 

It’s a jump from 2020 when CLT placed sixth worldwide for arrivals and departures and 18th for passenger traffic.

“The rankings reflect the important role CLT played in the aviation industry last year as one of the busiest airports in the world,” said CLT’s CEO Haley Gentry. “Many people were eager to travel by air again in 2021, and we’re happy to partner with the airlines to serve these passengers coming through Charlotte. This year, we are predicting an even stronger 2022 with one of our best summers ever.”

Charlotte Douglas handled 519,895 arrivals and departures last year and served 43 million passengers, which is 86% of the record-breaking 50 million passengers in 2019 (pre-COVID).