Detroit Regional Chamber > Research > Airport Traveler Throughput

Airport Traveler Throughput

June 15, 2020

Detroit Metropolitan Airport Total Passengers

Detroit Metropolitan Airport experienced a greater than 99.7% increase in total passengers in the month of October 2021 compared to the same month last year. In October 2020, 1,156,038  passengers utilized the airport, while in October 2021, 2,308,285 passengers either passed through or arrived in Detroit via the regional airport.

Cargo volumes decreased 5.1% year over year for the month of October. Less than 1,917,613 pounds of cargo were handled by the airport in October compared to a year ago. Air freight, which constitutes the largest volume of cargo at the airport, decreased from 32.4 million pounds in October 2020 to 31.0 million pounds in October 2021. Air mail decreased from 4.8 million pounds in October 2020 to 4.3 million pounds in October of this year.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is Michigan’s largest airport and one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs with more than 1,100 flights per day to and from four continents. Wayne County Airport Authority drives economic activity in the Detroit region, employing more than 86,000 individuals with an annual economic impact of 10.2 billion.

U.S. Airport Traveler Throughput

Traveler traffic increased 134% in September 2021 compared to 2020. Total TSA traveler throughput reached 51.1 million in September 2021 compared to 21.8 million in September 2020. Pre COVID-19, traveler traffic reached 66.9 million in September 2019, 15.8 million more travelers compared to 2021.