Air travel has fully bounced back from the pandemic and continues to grow globally. As passenger numbers surge beyond 9.4 billion annually, certain airports have emerged as major global hubs. This article reveals the 15 busiest airports in the world based on total passenger traffic — including arrivals, departures, and connecting travelers.
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), USA
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has maintained its position as the world’s busiest airport for years. Located in Georgia, USA, ATL served over 108 million passengers in 2024, leveraging powerful domestic connectivity and hub status for Delta Air Lines.
2. Dubai International Airport (DXB), UAE
Dubai International Airport is the biggest airport outside the United States in terms of total passengers. It handled a record 92+ million travelers in 2024 and continues to grow rapidly, becoming the leading hub for international traffic and global transit flights.
3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), USA
DFW in Texas excels as one of America’s busiest airport hubs. With nearly 88 million passengers through its terminals, it combines both domestic and international routes, acting as a key operation center for major U.S. carriers.
4. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), Japan
Tokyo Haneda Airport serves as a primary gateway to Japan and Asia. With nearly 86 million passengers, HND’s integrated domestic and international network makes it one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs.
5. Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom
London’s Heathrow Airport remains one of Europe’s busiest airports with approximately 84 million passengers in 2024. Known for its transatlantic connections, LHR is a vital hub for business and long-haul travel.
6. Denver International Airport (DEN), USA
Denver International Airport saw over 82 million passengers in 2024, cementing its status as the largest U.S. airport by land area and a critical domestic and connecting hub for Western North America.
7. Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey
Serving both Europe and Asia, Istanbul Airport handled about 80 million passengers — a significant increase reflecting Turkey’s rise in global travel networks.
8. O’Hare International Airport (ORD), USA
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is a major aviation nexus for U.S. and global routes. With approximately 80 million travelers, ORD continues to rank among the world’s busiest international transit hubs.
9. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), India
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi recorded nearly 78 million passengers, reflecting India’s fast-growing aviation market and expanding international connections.
10. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), China
Shanghai Pudong Airport served around 76 million passengers in 2024 and has seen rapid growth due to China’s reopening and expanding flight routes.
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11. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), USA
LAX recorded around 76.6 million passengers — making it a key gateway for both domestic U.S. flights and long-haul international connections, especially to Asia and Oceania.
12. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), China
Guangzhou Baiyun airport saw 76+ million travelers, making it a powerhouse in southern China’s aviation landscape and one of the fastest-growing major airports post-pandemic.
13. Incheon International Airport (ICN), South Korea
South Korea’s Incheon Airport handled over 71 million passengers, ranking it among East Asia’s most efficient and busiest aviation facilities.
14. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France
Serving Europe’s second-largest city, Charles de Gaulle Airport handled more than 70 million passengers, connecting France with global destinations.
15. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Singapore
Rounding out the top 15, Singapore Changi Airport remains a major international connecting hub with around 67 million passengers, known for world-class facilities and premium travel experience.
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Table: 15 Busiest Airports in the World (by Passenger Traffic)
| Rank | Airport Name | City | Country | Airport Code | Estimated Annual Passengers (2024) | Key Strength |
| 1 | Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport | Atlanta | USA | ATL | 108+ million | World’s largest domestic hub |
| 2 | Dubai International Airport | Dubai | UAE | DXB | 92+ million | World’s busiest international airport |
| 3 | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport | Dallas–Fort Worth | USA | DFW | 88+ million | Major North American hub |
| 4 | Tokyo Haneda Airport | Tokyo | Japan | HND | 86+ million | Asia’s top domestic airport |
| 5 | Heathrow Airport | London | United Kingdom | LHR | 84+ million | Europe’s busiest international hub |
| 6 | Denver International Airport | Denver | USA | DEN | 82+ million | Largest U.S. airport by land area |
| 7 | Istanbul Airport | Istanbul | Turkey | IST | 80+ million | Cross-continental hub (Europe–Asia) |
| 8 | O’Hare International Airport | Chicago | USA | ORD | 80+ million | Major global transit airport |
| 9 | Indira Gandhi International Airport | New Delhi | India | DEL | 78+ million | Fastest-growing airport in India |
| 10 | Shanghai Pudong International Airport | Shanghai | China | PVG | 76+ million | Key China international gateway |
| 11 | Los Angeles International Airport | Los Angeles | USA | LAX | 76+ million | Pacific & transcontinental hub |
| 12 | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Guangzhou | China | CAN | 76+ million | Southern China aviation hub |
| 13 | Incheon International Airport | Seoul | South Korea | ICN | 71+ million | East Asia’s most efficient hub |
| 14 | Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport | Paris | France | CDG | 70+ million | Major European tourist gateway |
| 15 | Singapore Changi Airport | Singapore | Singapore | SIN | 67+ million | World-class transit experience |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic?
The busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), handling over 108 million passengers annually, largely due to its extensive domestic flight network.
2. Which airport is the busiest international airport in the world?
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the world’s busiest international airport, serving more than 90 million international passengers each year.
3. How are the busiest airports in the world ranked?
The busiest airports are ranked based on total annual passenger traffic, including arrivals, departures, and transit passengers, using data from aviation authorities like Airports Council International (ACI).
4. Why are most of the world’s busiest airports located in the United States?
The United States dominates the list due to its large population, strong domestic air travel demand, and hub-and-spoke airline system connecting major cities.
5. Which Asian airport has the highest passenger traffic?
Tokyo Haneda Airport is the busiest airport in Asia, serving more than 85 million passengers annually and acting as a major domestic and international hub.
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