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INSIDER

Golden Anniversary: DFW Airport marks 50 years of service

On Jan. 13, 1974, Dallas Fort Worth
International Airport (DFW) began
operations as the newest and most modern
commercial airport in the United States,
heralding in a new chapter for modern
aviation.
This Jan. 13, DFW recognized its
50th anniversary by beginning a year-long
celebration that reflects on the airport’s
success, looks ahead to its exciting future
and thanks the community for five decades
of support.
In 1974, DFW was the largest airport
ever constructed in the U.S. and twice the
size of any before it. The airport began
operations with nine airlines, and today
is home to 28 airlines – including 16
international airlines – with service to 256
destinations around the world. DFW airfield, 1974, aerial view. Photo Courtesy DFW Media Department
With an estimated 80 million
passengers in 2023, DFW is now the every corner of the globe. benefitting over 634,000 jobs. Visitors to
second-busiest airport in the world. Its DFW has seen many historic moments DFW and the surrounding region generate
central location allows DFW customers during the past 50 years, including as the $24 billion in economic activity each year,
to reach any major metropolitan area in first U.S. airport to host the supersonic resulting in more than $5 billion in state
North America within four hours. This has Concorde on Sept. 20, 1973, the first U.S. and local taxes.
made DFW a critical piece of the expansive airport to host a visit by a NASA space “All of us at DFW Airport carry
growth of Dallas, Fort Worth and the entire shuttle on May 16, 1989, and the first the proud legacy that was started by the
North Texas region. American airport with the ability to land Dallas and Fort Worth leaders who saw
DFW is American Airlines’ largest hub four aircraft at the same time. the potential for a combined commercial
with operations from the airport to nearly The airport also has grown to become airport for Dallas and Fort Worth that could
a major economic engine for the regional grow and support the region well into the
Hartsfield-Jackson economy. DFW’s contribution includes future,” said Sean Donohue, DFW’s Chief
Executive Officer.
supporting an annual payroll of $38 billion,
sets new post-
pandemic record

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta MIA reaches record passenger and cargo
International Airport (ATL) reports strong numbers, receives historic investments
traffic growth as it served 104.7 million
passengers in 2023, marking a substantial
increase and surpassing post-pandemic Miami International Airport (MIA) contributed significantly by serving 31.4
levels. The increase reflects the airport’s reports record passenger and cargo traffic million passengers in 2023.
robust recovery from the challenges of the in 2023, as well as substantial investments American Airlines increased its year-
COVID-19 pandemic and underscores the in maintenance and capital improvements. overyear seat capacity by 10% during the
resurgence of domestic leisure travel. Audited reports confirm that MIA winter 2023 schedule. MIA also welcomed
Passenger numbers increased by 10.9 achieved its highest-ever annual passenger service launches by carriers Volaris El
million over 2022, up 11.7%. ATL’s highest total, handling 52.3 million travelers in Salvador, Norse Atlantic Airways, and
passenger volume occurred in 2019, with 2023, up by 3.2% over the previous year’s Porter Airlines, expanding its portfolio
over 110 million passengers traveling record. to 96 passenger and cargo airlines - the
through the Airport. In 2023, aircraft Notably, international travel highest among all U.S. airports.
operations grew by 7.1%, reaching a total experienced an exceptional 8.5% surge, Cargo operations at MIA registered
of 775,818 takeoffs and landings. reaching 23.2 million passengers. Domestic a 1% growth to achieve a record-breaking
Monthly figures for December 2023 traffic, though down by half a percent, still 2.78 million tons. This accomplishment
underscored these positive trends with a accounted for 29.1 million travelers. was driven by 2.2 million tons of
9.7% increase in passenger traffic and an The stellar performance in passenger international cargo and 548,976 tons of
8.52% rise in aircraft operations compared numbers was primarily fueled by American domestic shipments.
to the previous December. Airlines, MIA’s hub carrier, which

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