BEIJING -- Beijing Capital International Airport said Saturday that it remained the world's second-busiest airport in 2012 in terms of passenger throughput.

Passenger volumes grew 4.2 percent year on year to reach 81.8 million people last year, according to a statement from the airport.

The number of daily passengers exceeded 278,000 during peak travel periods in 2012, the statement said.

The airport has become increasingly busy in the last decade due to China's robust economic growth. Ninety-four airlines were using it as a flight hub as of the end of last year, operating flights to 236 destinations, according to the statement.