CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Douglas International Airport is now the country's sixth busiest airport in both aircraft movement and passenger traffic, according to the Airports Council International World 2020 preliminary rankings.

“Although CLT’s 2020 overall passenger and aircraft operation numbers were significantly lower than in previous years, these rankings put in perspective just how busy we were last year compared to other airports in the U.S. and around the world,” said Acting Aviation Director Haley Gentry. “Charlotte Douglas remained a top-tier hub that passengers and airlines relied on throughout the pandemic.” 

The rankings also placed CLT in the sixth busiest spot for aircraft movement worldwide, up one spot from 2019. CLT’s worldwide ranking for passenger traffic also climbed significantly in 2020, up to 18 from 34 in 2019.

According to data provided in a release, CLT served roughly 27.2 million passengers in 2020, had 397,983 arrivals and departures and processed 174,913 tons of cargo.

The ACI World preliminary rankings are subject to change. The final 2020 rankings will be released in the fall.