Dallas Love Field (DAL), commissioned on October 19, 1917, began as a training base for the U.S. Army Air Service. After World War I, Love Field continued as a military air base until the City of Dallas purchased it in 1927, clearing the way for civilian use.Today it is the 32nd-busiest airport in the United States and the busiest medium-hub airport despite its federally mandated cap of 20 gates and barring of international travel. Before the COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected air travel in 2020, Love Field saw its highest enplanements in 2019 at 8.4 million. Since then, passenger volumes have rebounded, allowing the airport to experience a new record with 17.59 million passengers traveling in and out of Dallas Love Field airport during the 2023 calendar year, a 10 percent increase compared to 2022.