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These were the busiest airports in the US last year
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Spotlight

These were the busiest airports in the US last year

  • Tribune News Service
  • Jan 15, 2019
  • Jan 15, 2019 Updated Feb 6, 2019

As the partial federal government shutdown continues, the Transportation Security Administration has faced staffing shortfalls and the closure of screening lanes at some of the nation's busiest airports. Here's a look at the busiest airports in the United States, based on Federal Aviation Administration statistics, counting departing passengers at each airport in 2017.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

1. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Caira Billingsley (center) at the Spirit ticket counter on Monday Dec. 18, 2017, at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. Hartsfield International is the nation's busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 50.3 million passengers departing in 2017.

John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS

2. Los Angeles International Airport

2. Los Angeles International Airport

Memorial Day weekend travelers at Los Angeles International Airport stand in a security line on May 26, 2017. Los Angeles International is the nation's second busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 41.2 million passengers departing in 2017.

Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/TNS

3. O'Hare International Airport

3. O'Hare International Airport

The Premiere Access security line has a long wait on May 16, 2016, at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. O'Hare International is the nation's third busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 38.6 million passengers departing in 2017.

Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune/TNS

4. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

4. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

Hanayo Yoon, a customer service agent with Japan Airlines, helps a passenger at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Irving, Texas on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. Dallas-Fort Worth is the nation's fourth busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 31.8 million passengers departing in 2017.

Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News

5. Denver International Airport

5. Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport, as seen on Jan. 7, 2014. Denver International is the nation's fifth busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 29.8 million passengers departing in 2017.

Dreamstime/TNS

6. John F. Kennedy International Airport

6. John F. Kennedy International Airport

Inside JetBlue Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Sept. 17, 2017. Kennedy International is the nation's sixth busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 29.5 million passengers departing in 2017.

Leonard Zhukovsky/Dreamstime/TNS

7. San Francisco International Airport

7. San Francisco International Airport

As passengers wait in a security line, left, a CLEAR passenger passes quickly through the CLEAR checkpoint, right, at San Francisco International Airport, May 31, 2012. San Francisco International is the nation's seventh busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 26.9 million passengers departing in 2017. 

John Green/Contra Costa Times/TNS

8. McCarran International Airport

8. McCarran International Airport

McCarran International Airport on April 1, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nev. McCarran International is the nation's eighth busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 23.4 million passengers departing in 2017. 

Jeff Coleman/Dreamstime/TNS

9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

An Embraer E175 jet lands on the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on October 15, 2018. Seattle-Tacoma is the nation's ninth busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 22.6 million passengers departing in 2017. 

Mike Siegel/Seattle Times/TNS

10. Charlotte/Douglas International Airport

10. Charlotte/Douglas International Airport

U.S. Airways aircraft at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, N.C. in February 2004. Charlotte/Douglas is the nation's 10th busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 22.0 million passengers departing in 2017. 

Wendy Yang/Charlotte Observer/TNS

11. Newark Liberty International Airport

11. Newark Liberty International Airport

An aerial view of the Newark Liberty International Airport on Jan. 5, 2017. Newark Liberty in Newark, N.J., is the nation's 11th busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 21.6 million passengers departing in 2017.

Dreamstime/TNS

12. Orlando International Airport

12. Orlando International Airport

The control tower of the Orlando International Airport on June 27, 2017. Orlando International is the nation's 12th busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 21.6 million passengers departing in 2017.

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS

13. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

13. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Morning rush of U.S. Airways aircraft at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on March 20, 2013 in Phoenix, Ariz. Phoenix Sky Harbor is the nation's 13th busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 21.2 million passengers departing in 2017. 

Markus Mainka/Dreamstime/TNS

14. Miami International Airport

14. Miami International Airport

Holiday travelers and airport employees scurry through the metromover station on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 at Miami International Airport in Miami, Fla. Miami International is the nation's 14th busiest airport, according to FAA statistics, with 20.7 million passengers departing in 2017.

Carl Juste/Miami Herald/TNS

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