Sachin Walls
The number of passengers in an airport varies depending on the airport in question. The busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, which saw just under 104.7 million international passengers in 2023. The United States has the most airports in the top 50 busiest airports by passenger traffic, with 16, followed by China with 10. Every day, the FAA's Air Traffic Organization (ATO) services more than 2.9 million airline passengers across more than 29 million square miles of airspace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of passengers in an airport | 2.9 million (daily average) |
| Busiest airport in the world | Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Number of passengers in the busiest airport | 104.7 million (2023) |
| Number of airports in the US | 1,251 (as of 2023) |
What You'll Learn
Busiest airports by passenger traffic
The world's busiest airports by passenger traffic are measured by the total number of passengers, which is defined as passengers enplaned plus passengers deplaned plus direct-transit passengers. Here is a list of the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia, United States:
This airport has been the busiest in the world every year since 1998, except in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected passenger numbers. More than 107 million passengers passed through in 2018, and it saw a 3.3% increase in passenger traffic in 2019. Atlanta's dominance is due to its location as a major connecting hub and port of entry into North America. It is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the US population.
Beijing Capital International Airport, China:
This airport served nearly 101 million passengers in 2018 and saw a 5.4% increase in 2019. It is the second busiest airport in the world and may one day overtake Atlanta.
Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates:
With 89.1 million passengers in 2018, Dubai ranked third in overall passenger traffic and first for international passengers.
Los Angeles International Airport, California, United States:
Los Angeles has multiple airports, but its largest still flew 87.5 million passengers in 2018, moving up to fourth place in the rankings.
Tokyo Haneda Airport, Japan:
Serving 86.9 million passengers in 2018, Haneda Airport dropped to fifth place, behind Los Angeles.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Illinois, United States:
O'Hare remained in sixth place for overall passenger volume, with 83.2 million passengers, but came first for airplane movements (takeoffs and landings).
London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom:
Heathrow flew 80.1 million passengers in 2018 and ranked second for international passenger traffic.
Hong Kong International Airport, China:
This airport served 74.5 million passengers in 2018 and dominated the total air cargo traffic rankings, coming in first.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China:
Shanghai came in ninth for passenger traffic, moving 74 million people, and was ranked third for total air cargo traffic in 2018.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France:
This airport remained in tenth place for another year, serving 72.2 million passengers in 2018, a 4% increase over 2017.
Other Notable Mentions:
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands
- New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, India
- Denver International Airport, Colorado, United States
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, United States
- Frankfurt Airport, Germany
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International air passenger traffic
In 2023, the global airline industry served an estimated 4.5 billion scheduled passengers, with the Asia Pacific region accounting for one-third of the total. This was a significant increase compared to the previous year, and the positive trend was forecast to continue into 2024, with passenger numbers expected to reach just under five billion.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted air passenger traffic, with a notable dip in 2020 due to travel restrictions. However, the industry has shown a strong recovery since then, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, USA, regaining its position as the world's busiest airport in 2021.
London, UK, has the busiest city airport system in the world when measured by passenger count. When it comes to countries, the United States leads with the most airports in the top 50 busiest airports list, with 16 airports, including five in the top 10. China follows with 10 airports in the top 50, while India, Spain, and the United Kingdom each have two airports in this category.
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Passenger enplanements
The number of passengers enplaned, or boarded, is a key metric for airports. This data is used to calculate airport categories and funding for the next fiscal year. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses enplanement data from the calendar year 2023 to determine airport categories and funding for fiscal year 2025.
Passenger enplanement data is collected from all commercial service airports, including primary, non-primary commercial service, and general aviation airports. This data is made available to the public and can be viewed on the FAA's Airports External Portal (AEP).
The world's busiest airports by passenger traffic are measured by the total number of passengers enplaned, deplaned, and direct-transit passengers. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States has consistently ranked as the world's busiest airport since 1998, except for 2020 due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Atlanta regained its top position and served just under 104.7 million international passengers.
The United States had the most airports in the top 50 busiest airports by passenger traffic in 2023, with 16 airports, including five in the top 10.
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Passenger deplanements
The number of passengers in an airport is a crucial metric for assessing its performance and efficiency. Airports handle a vast number of passengers daily, with the specific figure varying across different airports worldwide. Passenger deplanements refer to the number of passengers who disembark or get off a plane at an airport. This is one of the key components used to determine an airport's overall passenger traffic, along with passenger enplanements (those who board or get on a plane) and direct-transit passengers.
The calculation of passenger deplanements is essential for airport management and planning. It helps airport authorities in decision-making processes, including staffing requirements, facility design, and the allocation of gates and parking stands for arriving flights. By accurately estimating the number of passengers who will deplane, airports can optimise their operations, enhance safety, and improve the overall passenger experience.
While specific data on passenger deplanements for various airports was not readily available, sources indicate that Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, has consistently ranked as the world's busiest airport since 1998, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, this airport handled just under 104.7 million international passengers, with Dubai and Dallas/Fort Worth airports following closely with approximately 87 million and 82 million international passengers, respectively.
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Direct-transit passengers
Passengers who will be transferred to international flights are advised to review the airport baggage rules to avoid any inconvenience while entering the country and not lose their right to their connecting flight. They might also need to apply for a transit visa if necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States was filled with just under 104.7 million international passengers.
In 2023, Dubai International Airport was the second busiest airport with 87 million international passengers.
In 2023, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport was the third busiest airport with 82 million international passengers.
This depends on the airport and the time of year. Generally, the world's busiest airports have over 80 million passengers a year.
An airport's busyness is relative to its capacity and the time of year. For example, London has the world's busiest city airport system by passenger count, but the number of passengers is not disclosed.
