Beijing briefly assumes title of world’s largest airport as Spring Festival traffic soars

Beijing Capital International Airport, the second busiest airport in 2011, has overtaken the world's busiest airport by total passenger movements, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, based on capacity (seats) data for the second week of Jan-2012, driven by increased traffic over the Spring Festival travel season, which commenced on 08-Jan-2012. CAAC has forecast a 7% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers to 34.9 million during the 40-day peak travel period, with domestic Chinese carriers' 8000 flights and capacity to transport one million passengers per day. However, Atlanta will regain its position once the Spring Festival traffic spike subsides, and will be the largest airport by passenger traffic in Jan-2012 as a whole. Beijing's temporary hold on the number one spot is a reminder that the title this year will return, and for the long term.