Chicago O'Hare International Airport the busiest in US: FAA

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Los Angeles International Airport was in the third place last year for its total of departures and arrivals.

Preliminary data from airlines also showed that more than 105 million passengers traveled through Chicago's O'Hare and Midway International Airports last year, surpassing the previous record set in 2017.

Monday's preliminary traffic numbers follow on O'Hare being named best connected airport in the nation for three years running, and the second-most connected in the world after London-Heathrow in 2018, said Chicago Mayor's Office.

"Chicago is proud to be the home of the best connected airport in the U.S., and now the busiest airport for total flights, as well," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said on Monday.

"The record number of passengers in 2018 is a testament to the investments we are making to build Chicago's aviation future," he added.

Chicago has announced an 8.5-billion-US dollar plan to expand O'Hare's terminals over the next decade.

"With more people visiting Chicago every year, our modernization programs at O'Hare and Midway will keep passengers connected to our two leading gateway airports, and will fuel new opportunities for the City and the region for years to come," said the mayor.