LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Passenger traffic through Los Angeles International Airport increased 2.9 percent to nearly 63.7 million in 2012, and air cargo was up about 5 percent, according to figures released today.

“The increase in passenger activity at LAX is attributable to airlines starting new international service, an improving Asia-Pacific regional economy, and a modest but perceptible strengthening of the Southern California economy,” according to Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that oversees the airport.

LAX, serviced by about 75 airlines, now ranks as the third busiest in the country and the sixth busiest in the world, with more than 600 daily flights to 91 U.S. cities and more than 1,000 weekly flights to 32 countries.

Domestic passenger volume was up 3.1 percent to 46.5 million last year, and international passenger traffic rose 2.5 percent to 17.1 million, according to LAWA.

Air cargo increased from 1.87 million tons to 1.9 million tons, valued at $89.6 billion. Air mail was up 20.3 percent, and freight up 4.3 percent, according to LAWA.

Takeoffs and landings were up a mere 0.2 percent, from 603,912 in 2011 to 605,480 last year.