LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport had its busiest year ever in 2023, hosting over 4.6 million total passengers. That sets an all-time record for the airport.

In a news release, the airport said it was the second time in five years it has broken its own record. It also marked the first time it has been recognized as the fastest growing airport of the top 100 airports in the continental U.S.

“This is an amazing accomplishment for SDF as well as our community,” said Dan Mann, executive director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “The fact that we’ve surpassed our previous record set in 2019 by nearly 10% is proof of the community’s support as well as the positive relationships with our airlines.”

The Louisville airport also saw individual records for every month in 2023. The busiest month was October, when a total of 465,821 passenger traveled through the airport. July was second, with 452,419 total passengers, followed by 438,966 passengers in May.

“The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the gateway to our great city and the world, and I am thrilled to celebrate 2023 as the best year ever for the airport with a record number of passengers,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville. 

Airline carriers have contributed to the airport’s growth. The total number of scheduled seats by airlines was up by over 25% compared to 2022. United Airlines created the largest boost with a 53% capacity growth, followed by Breeze Airways at 41% and American Airlines with 32%.

“For an airport of our size to experience this level of investment in such a short period of time is a rarity in our industry,” said Anthony Gilmer, vice president of Air Service Development and Strategic Marketing. “Cities like Austin, Nashville and Raleigh are always known as having rapidly growing airports, and now Louisville is in those conversations as well.”

In 2023, Muhammad Ali International Airport welcomed Sun Country Airlines and added new service to three new destinations. Airlines also upped the frequency of nonstop flights to destinations such as Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. American, Delta and United all also upgraded aircraft size on key routes to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Newark and Washington, D.C.

The Louisville airport is served by eight commercial airlines — Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country and United — with flights to over 35 nonstop destinations around the country. Annually, it averages over 140 daily passenger flights.