Miami International Airport ended 2013 by reaching the 40-million passenger mark for the first time in the airport’s 85-year history and setting a new record for annual passengers for the fourth year in a row.

Since 2010, when MIA hit the 35.7 million passenger mark for the first time, annual passenger traffic at the airport has increased by more than 12 per cent.

“Congratulations to the Aviation Department and the entire MIA community on this historic milestone,” said Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Gimenez.

“Continued growth at our top economic engine is very good news for our economy and for continued job growth in Miami-Dade County.”

Since December 1st, more than 3.1 million passengers have travelled through MIA, including a new single-day record of 139,940 passengers set on December 21st 2013.

“This is a proud moment for MIA and the men and women who keep this airport going 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” said Miami-Dade aviation director Emilio González.

“Hitting the 40 million mark – with half of that total being international passengers – speaks to MIA’s staying power as one of the top international hubs in the world.

“Our strategy this year has been to aggressively seek out new international carriers to solidify our position as a truly global airport.”