Atlanta first to surpass 100 million passengers a year

Tuesday, 29 Dec, 2015 0

With just days to go before the year-end, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta has reached the magical milestone of 100 million passengers in a calendar year.

The airport, which lays claim to being the busiest in the nation, can now back that up with hard facts.

Airport General Manager Miguel Southwell said accounting firm KPMG was hired to crunch the numbers and ‘help validate this milestone.’

Last year the airport welcomed 96 million passengers and this year has seen a 5% increase, Southwell said.

The 100 million mark was passed on Sunday with passenger Larry Kendrick of Biloxi, Mississippi, getting the five star treatment on arrival.

"Our 100M passenger Larry just received a Nissan Altima, 2 round-trip tickets to anywhere @Delta flies and a $500 gift card. Congrats!" the airport tweeted.

The 100 million mark is not only a first for the US but also globally for an airport.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.