MEMPHIS, TENN. (April 23, 2021) – Memphis International Airport (MEM) has regained its status as the world’s busiest cargo airport, according to preliminary 2020 world airport traffic rankings released by Airports Council International (ACI). The last time MEM held the top spot in the cargo rankings was 2009.

More than 4.61 million metric tonnes of cargo were handled at MEM in 2020, an increase of 6.7% compared to 2019. MEM is the home to the FedEx Express World Hub, which is responsible for about 99% of the overall cargo handled at MEM and features about 450 combined arrivals and departures per day.

While the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced passenger traffic across the world, the cargo industry experienced growth in many locations, including MEM.

The ACI preliminary airport cargo rankings can be found here. ACI’s news release about the preliminary rankings can be found here. 

“We take pride in our ranking in the air cargo industry, which serves as a positive reminder of the importance of FedEx and e-commerce to the Mid-South’s economy,” said Pace Cooper, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. “It also illustrates the crucial role cargo has served during the pandemic. We are working diligently to facilitate continued growth by FedEx and the ongoing recovery of our passenger traffic.”