Lois Larson
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport for 26 out of the last 27 years. However, in 2024, Shanghai Pudong International Airport was the 10th busiest airport in the world, jumping from 21st place in 2023. This jump was driven by expanded visa policies, the resumption and expansion of international flights, operational enhancements, and the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region from the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Shanghai Pudong International Airport |
| Ranking | 10th busiest airport in the world |
| Passenger Traffic | 855 million passengers (9% of global traffic) |
| Year-over-year increase | 8.8% increase from 2023 |
| Increase compared to 2019 | 8.4% increase from 789 million passengers |
| Cargo Volume | 32.3 million metric tons (26% of global volume) |
| Year-over-year cargo increase | 9.3% increase from 2023 |
| Increase in cargo compared to 2019 | 9.5% increase from 29.5 million tons |
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What You'll Learn
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been the world's busiest airport for 26 of the last 27 years. The airport has held this title since 1998, except in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted passenger traffic. However, Atlanta quickly regained its top position in 2021.
The airport's success is attributed to its operational efficiency, commitment to minimizing delays, optimizing flight schedules, and providing luxurious facilities. ATL's extensive network and smooth operations make it a convenient and reliable hub for international travel. It serves over 100 million passengers annually, with a network of over 150 domestic and 78 international destinations, connecting Atlanta to the world.
ATL's growth is intertwined with Atlanta's rise as a global city. The airport's history spans eight decades, marked by innovation and ambition. It began in 1925 when Atlanta's Chamber of Commerce set out to establish a municipal airport on a 500-acre cow pasture south of the city. The following year, Candler Field, named after Atlanta's Coca-Cola family, opened with a single dirt runway. Eastern Air Lines recognized its potential and initiated scheduled passenger service in 1926. The airport's first expansion came in the 1930s, driven by the growing airmail industry and the increasing importance of air travel during World War II.
ATL's dominance continued in 2024, with 62.7 million passengers and a 2% increase in capacity. It surpassed Dubai International (DXB) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) airports, solidifying its pivotal role in global air travel. Dubai International Airport, the second busiest airport, witnessed a 7% increase in seats to 62 million, while Tokyo Haneda, the third busiest, offered 55.2 million seats, a 5% increase.
Looking ahead, ATL faces the challenge of maintaining its position in a dynamic aviation landscape. The airport will need to adapt to technological advancements, such as autonomous vehicles and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to ensure its longevity as a global leader.
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Dubai International Airport is the second busiest airport
Dubai's strategic location as a global gateway connecting the East and West makes it an ideal destination for travellers worldwide. The city's economic strength and ability to adapt to the evolving needs of international travellers have solidified its position as a global hub for business and tourism. Dubai International Airport's commitment to delivering the best possible experience for passengers from all over the world has contributed to its impressive growth and leading position.
Dubai International Airport serves as a major hub for Emirates, one of the world's largest airlines. The airport's sustained performance during the rebound and growth of air transport after the pandemic highlights its resilience and importance as a global aviation powerhouse. Dubai's geostrategic positioning, combined with its world-class infrastructure and facilities, has taken centre stage in international travel.
Dubai International Airport's ranking as the second busiest airport reinforces its vital role in trade, commerce, and connectivity. ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci emphasised the importance of these hubs, stating that they are "vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity" and play a crucial role in linking countries and facilitating travel for millions worldwide. Dubai's continued dominance underscores its strategic location, infrastructure, and role as a major transit hub connecting different regions.
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Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is third busiest
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is a primary international airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the North Texas region. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered near the airport. DFW Airport has service to 254 destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international destinations. It is also the largest carbon-neutral airport in the world and the first in North America to achieve this status.
In 2023, DFW was ranked as the third busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements, according to the Airports Council International. The airport served nearly 82 million passengers that year, an increase of more than 11% from 2022. Dubai International Airport ranked second, while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its number-one position.
DFW Airport also ranked third busiest in the world in 2024, according to the Airports Council International. The airport saw a 9.1% increase in traffic, with about 87.82 million passengers flying in or out. The top two spots were held by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Dubai International Airport.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has a long history, dating back to proposals for a joint airport in 1927. The airport opened for commercial service as Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport in 1974 and was renamed Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 1985. It has been a significant hub for American Airlines since its early history and continues to be a vital gateway for international travel.
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Tokyo Haneda International Airport is fourth busiest
Tokyo Haneda International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the world. It is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other being Narita International Airport. Haneda Airport is the busier of the two, serving as the primary domestic base for Japan's two largest airlines: Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. It also serves several other airlines, including RegionalPlus Wings Corp., Skymark Airlines, and StarFlyer.
Haneda Airport is located in Ōta, Tokyo, 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) south of Tokyo Station. The facility covers 1,522 hectares (3,761 acres) of land. The airport received its first international passenger flights in 1947, when Northwest Orient Airlines began DC-4 flights across the North Pacific to the United States, China, South Korea, and the Philippines. In 1952, the US military gave part of the base back to Japan, and this portion became known as Tokyo International Airport. Japan's flag carrier, Japan Airlines, began its first domestic operations from Haneda in 1951.
In 2010, Haneda Airport opened a dedicated international terminal, Terminal 3, along with the completion of a fourth runway, allowing long-haul flights to operate during the nighttime. This expansion enabled Haneda to accommodate long-haul service during the daytime in 2014, with nonstop service to 25 cities in 17 countries. Haneda handled 87,098,683 passengers in 2018, making it the fourth busiest airport in the world by passenger throughput. In 2023, the airport experienced a significant increase in passenger traffic, with a 55.1% rise in total passengers compared to 2022. This jump propelled Haneda back into the top 10 busiest airports in the world, reflecting Japan's booming travel industry and recovery from the pandemic.
In addition to its high passenger traffic, Haneda Airport has received several accolades. It was named the second-best airport in the world in 2020, after Singapore's Changi Airport, and it maintained its second-place ranking in Skytrax's world's top 100 airports for 2021 and 2022. Haneda also received first place in three categories in the 2025 International Airport Assessment conducted by SKYTRAX, showcasing its continued excellence in airport operations and services.
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Shanghai Pudong International Airport is tenth busiest
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the tenth busiest airport in the world. This ranking was released in April 2025 and is based on 2024 data. The airport experienced a significant jump in ranking, moving up from 21st position in 2023.
The rise in ranking for Shanghai Pudong International Airport can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the resumption and expansion of international flights contributed significantly to the increase in passenger traffic. This rebound in air travel was particularly notable following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had previously impacted travel patterns. The airport's climb in the rankings was also fuelled by expanded visa policies, operational enhancements, and the overall recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, especially China.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport's ranking as the tenth busiest airport globally is a testament to its role as a major aviation hub. It handles a significant volume of passenger traffic, contributing to the overall aviation industry's growth and resilience. The airport's position in the top 10 busiest airports underscores its importance in facilitating global connectivity and supporting the economic and tourism development of the region.
The airport's ranking also highlights the increasing demand for air travel in the region. Shanghai Pudong International Airport's rise in the rankings is indicative of the growing aviation market in Asia. This demand is driven by factors such as enhanced global connectivity, airline expansion, and infrastructure growth. The airport's position as a top-tier aviation hub is solidified by its ability to accommodate and efficiently manage a high volume of passengers.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport's ranking as the tenth busiest airport in the world is a significant achievement, reflecting the airport's efficient operations and its role in supporting the region's economic growth and tourism industry. The airport's ability to handle a large volume of passengers and its contribution to global connectivity solidify its position as a key player in the global aviation industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Shanghai Pudong International Airport was the 10th busiest airport in the world in 2024, seeing a 41% increase in traffic from 2023.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, United States, was the busiest airport in the world in 2024, with more than 108 million passengers.
There were about 9.5 billion passengers globally in 2024, a 3.8% increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was also the busiest airport in the world in 2023.
