Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport announced today that passenger traffic in October was 2.37 percent higher than a year earlier, increasing from 7,860,721 passengers in 2010 to 8,047,271 passengers in 2011. International passengers increased by 3 percent — from 715,969 to 738,234..

Total passenger traffic for January through October 2011 increased by 3.80 percent over the same period last year — from 74,861,875 to 77,703,266.

“Our passenger traffic continues to grow, despite the difficult economic environment we are all experiencing,” Aviation General Manager Louis Miller said.

Aircraft operations (landings and takeoffs) decreased by 2.48 percent during October and by 2.79 percent for the year to date — from 797,475 to 775,223 aircraft operations. Airlines’ reduced use of smaller regional aircraft accounted for most of this decrease. International operations increased by 11.88 percent during October and by 11.59 percent for the year to date.

Total air cargo for October decreased by 3.56 percent but is up by 1.28 percent for the year to date — from 544,153 to 551,094 metric tons. International air cargo increased by 0.36 percent for the year to date.