Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World
by Krishika M
Updated Mar 13, 2023
Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted air traffic patterns worldwide, resulting in fewer people traveling and changes in the destinations they choose to visit. This is evident from the latest rankings of the world's busiest airports, which are markedly different from three years ago. The previous list had a balance of U.S. and international airports, with several global hubs featuring in the top 10, including Tokyo's Haneda Airport, Dubai International Airport, London Heathrow, and Paris Charles de Gaulle. However, in the current rankings, none of these airports made it to the list due to the pandemic's impact on international travel.
Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World 2023
We have provided the list of top 10 busiest airports in the world 2023, in the table provided below:
1
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, US
2
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas, US
3
Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado, US
4
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois, US
5
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California, US
6
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), North Carolina, US
7
Orlando International Airport (MCO), Florida, US
8
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), PRC
9
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), PRC
10
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) , Paradise, Nevada, US
S.No.
Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, US
For over two decades, Hartsfield-Jackson has maintained its position as the world's largest airport by passenger traffic, with almost 76 million passengers served in 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it also holds the top spot for the busiest airport in terms of aircraft movements. The airport caters to domestic and international destinations across five continents, namely North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Delta Air Lines operates the majority of its flights from ATL, and it serves as the primary hub for the airline, accounting for 72% of its flights.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas, US
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a massive American airport that served more than 62 million passengers in 2021. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, offering service to various domestic and international destinations.
In addition to its significant passenger traffic, the airport ranks as the world's third busiest airport in terms of aircraft movements. This means that it handles a significant number of takeoffs and landings on a daily basis, indicating its importance as a transportation hub.
As an international gateway, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport ranks ninth in the United States and second in Texas, providing convenient connections to and from numerous international destinations.
Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado, US
Denver Airport's passenger traffic exceeded 59 million in 2021, making it the world's third busiest airport. Furthermore, it holds the title of the second-largest airport globally by surface area, after King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The airport serves as the largest operating base for Southwest Airlines and is a significant hub for United and Frontier Airlines. The airport's unique design sets it apart from others, with its white roof towers that draw inspiration from the nearby snowy Rocky Mountains, allowing ample natural light to enter the building.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois, US
Chicago O'Hare Airport has a rich history, having been the world's most used airport between 1963 and 1998. It currently serves over 54 million passengers and is ranked as the fourth busiest airport globally. Additionally, it is the second busiest airport worldwide in terms of aircraft movements, according to ACI data. As a symbol of the jet age in the 1960s and 1970s, O'Hare Airport remains a pioneer of innovations in the aviation industry. It was the first airport globally to host an apiary that became home to more than a million bees. Former convicts from the Chicago, Illinois area were employed to keep the bees, providing them with new skills and job opportunities.
Furthermore, the airport is home to the first aeroponic garden, which supplies produce to various restaurants in the terminal. These innovative initiatives demonstrate the airport's commitment to sustainability and promoting local food production.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California, US
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) served over 48 million passengers in 2021, making it the fifth busiest airport in the world. It also ranks as the sixth busiest airport globally by aircraft movements. LAX is a vital connection point for international flights, especially for destinations in North America, South America, and Asia. It serves as a hub for all major US airlines and provides connections to numerous domestic and international destinations. Interestingly, LAX's designation used to be simply LA until the 1930s, but aviation's rapid growth necessitated three-letter identifiers, so an "X" was added. Therefore, it is essential to pronounce the letters of LAX separately.
In addition to its significant traffic volume, LAX has undergone several renovations and modernizations to enhance passenger experience and sustainability. The airport has implemented various measures to reduce its carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency, including solar panel installations, electric vehicle charging stations, and water conservation initiatives.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), North Carolina, US
Despite not being widely known as a major international hub, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has managed to make it to the list of the top 10 busiest airports in the world based on passenger traffic in 2021. The airport served more than 43 million passengers last year, which is an impressive achievement for this North Carolina airport.
As one of the largest airports in the United States, Charlotte Douglas International Airport serves as a hub for all major American airlines, including American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. It offers flights to a range of domestic and international destinations, making it an important transit point for travelers.
Furthermore, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion project that will add 336,000 square feet of space to the airport's surface area. This 600 million US dollar project, scheduled for completion in 2025, is aimed at improving the airport's infrastructure and services, providing an even better experience for travelers. With this expansion, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is set to further solidify its position as one of the busiest and most important airports in the United States.
Orlando International Airport (MCO), Florida, US
With more than 40 million passengers served in 2021, Orlando International Airport secures the seventh spot on the world's busiest airport ranking. In addition, it is the fifth largest airport in the world in terms of surface area, covering over 52 square kilometers.
Interestingly, the airport has a unique history as it was formerly a military base known as McCoy Air Force Base. The airport's IATA code (MCO) is derived from its original name.
While the airport is currently only a hub for Silver Airways, it is a popular destination for domestic flights operated by JetBlue, Southwest, and Silver Airways. Moreover, it serves as a major gateway for international routes, boasting 135 destinations, 850 daily flights, and 44 airlines operating from its terminals.
Given its significant role in the tourism industry, Orlando International Airport is constantly expanding and upgrading its facilities to meet the growing demand of its passengers. The airport has invested in various improvement projects, including the South Terminal Complex that is expected to be completed in 2022. The new terminal will feature state-of-the-art technology, additional gates, and an automated people mover system to enhance the travel experience for passengers.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), PRC
With over 40 million passengers served in 2021, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport holds the 8th position in the ranking of the world's busiest airports. It is also considered the busiest airport in China, a title that was previously held by Shanghai Pudong International Airport. In fact, in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted global air travel, Guangzhou Airport was the world leader in passenger traffic.
Located in the Guangdong province in Southern China, the airport's IATA code, CAN, derives from the romanized version of Guangzhou, which is also known as Canton. The airport serves as a hub for several airlines, including China Southern Airlines, FedEx Express, 9 Air, Hainan Airlines, and Shenzhen Airlines.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has been undergoing continuous expansion since it opened in 2004, with the most recent expansion being completed in 2018. This expansion included the addition of a fourth runway, a new terminal building, and a new satellite concourse. These developments have increased the airport's capacity to handle over 70 million passengers annually. The airport's location in Southern China, a major manufacturing hub, also makes it an important gateway for international cargo shipments.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), PRC
Coming in at 9th place in the ranking of the world's busiest airports is Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, which served just over 40 million passengers in 2021. This airport is located in the province of Sichuan in China and primarily serves the city of Chengdu and the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.
Like Orlando Airport, Shuangliu Airport also began as a military base in 1938 and served in several conflicts under the name Shuangguisi Airport. Today, it is a major hub for airlines such as Air China, Sichuan Airlines, and Chengdu Airlines. Additionally, China Eastern and China Southern Airlines, as well as Shenzhen and Tiber Airlines, also use Shuangliu as a base.
China's impressive presence in the top 10 busiest airports in the world is further solidified with Chengdu Shuangliu's ranking, making it the second non-American airport on the list.
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Paradise, Nevada, US
With passenger traffic of 39.8 million in 2021, the Harry Reid International Airport (HRIA) takes the last spot in the top 10 busiest airports list. However, it still ranks 7th in the world for aircraft movements. Though it is situated outside of Las Vegas, HRIA is famously known as the Las Vegas Airport and is named after Senator Harry Reid, a former Senate representative of Nevada. HRIA serves as a hub for Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Southwest, and Spirit Airlines. To fit the city's reputation as Sin City, slot machines are installed throughout the airport's gates, a typical sight for many visitors.
Which is the No 1 airport in the world?
According to the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar has been named the best airport in the world. This is the sixth time the airport has won the top spot since its opening in 2014. Tokyo Haneda Airport in Japan and Changi Airport in Singapore were ranked second and third, respectively, in the prestigious annual awards.
Hamad International Airport, with its iconic architecture and state-of-the-art facilities, serves as a hub for Qatar Airways and is located just five kilometers from the center of Doha. The airport features an array of luxury amenities such as spas, designer shops, and a hotel with a rooftop swimming pool. It is also well-known for its impressive art collection, including pieces by famous artists like Damien Hirst and Tomás Saraceno.
Tokyo Haneda Airport, located in the heart of Tokyo, has also earned a reputation for excellence, particularly in terms of its cleanliness and efficiency. The airport offers a range of services and facilities, including a variety of dining and shopping options, as well as a traditional Japanese garden.
Changi Airport in Singapore, which has consistently been recognized as one of the world's best airports, is renowned for its innovation and passenger experience. The airport boasts features such as a rooftop swimming pool, a butterfly garden, and a cinema, in addition to a wide range of dining and shopping options. The airport also offers a complimentary city tour for passengers with long layovers.
Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World - FAQs
As of 2021, the top three busiest airports in the world are Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, and Dubai International Airport.
The busiest airport in China is currently Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, which served over 40 million passengers in 2021.
The busiest airport in the United States is Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which is also the busiest airport in the world.
The airport with the largest surface area in the world is King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
As of 2023, the World's Best Airport is Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, according to the Skytrax World Airport Awards.