Sachin Walls
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. It has held this position every year since 1998, except in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a dip in passenger traffic. Atlanta regained its top position in 2021 and has maintained it since. The airport serves as a connecting hub for domestic and international travelers due to its strategic location between North America, Europe, and Latin America.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Busiest airport in the world | Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| Location | Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia |
| Ranking | Ranked as the busiest airport in the world for 26 out of the past 27 years |
| Passenger count | Broke the 100 million passenger count |
| Airlines | Delta |
| Destinations | More than 200 destinations |
| Flights | Operates over 1,000 daily flights |
| Busiest airport in the United States | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| Busiest airline hub in the United States | United Airlines' hub, Denver International Airport |
| Busiest airline hub in Europe | Heathrow Airport |
| Busiest airport in Canada | Toronto–Pearson |
| Busiest airport in Alberta | Calgary International |
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What You'll Learn
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: busiest airport since 1998 bar 2020
- Dubai International Airport: second busiest airport with 92 million passengers in 2024
- Shanghai's Pudong International Airport: largest rise in rankings from 21st in 2023 to 10th in 2024
- London: busiest city airport system by passenger count
- US airports: 4 of the top 10 busiest airports in the world are in the US
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: busiest airport since 1998 bar 2020
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport since 1998, except for in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic saw a dip in passenger traffic.
The airport, located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, is a connecting hub for domestic and international travellers, owing to its position between North America, Europe, and Latin America. It offers 150 non-stop destinations across six continents. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. Three runways are 9,000 feet long, one is 10,000 feet long, and the longest runway measures 12,390 feet, capable of accommodating the Airbus A380.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has two terminals and seven concourses with a total of 193 gates. The airport employs about 55,300 people across various roles, including airline, ground transportation, security, and federal government positions. It has a direct and indirect economic impact of $3.2 billion on the local and regional economy, with an annual regional economic impact of over $19.8 billion.
In 2015, the airport became the first in the world to serve 100 million passengers in a year, and it consistently tops the Airports Council International rankings. Despite its impressive traffic numbers, the airport has faced challenges, including staffing crises, tech outages, and aircraft incidents, which have resulted in flight delays and ground stops on certain occasions.
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Dubai International Airport: second busiest airport with 92 million passengers in 2024
Dubai International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world, with a record 92 million passengers in 2024. This number cements Dubai's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, surpassing the previous record set in 2018. The airport is a major hub for business and investment, with 106 international airlines flying into it. Dubai is also the biggest tourism and trade hub in the Middle East.
The airport, known as DXB, has seen a steady increase in passenger numbers since the pandemic. In 2022, 66 million passengers passed through, a number that rose to 86.9 million in 2023. The airport's CEO, Paul Griffiths, attributed the 2024 results to the airport's efficient use of its limited geographical footprint. With only two runways, DXB handled almost twice the number of passengers as the population of the United States in the last decade.
Dubai International Airport is home to the long-haul carrier Emirates, which is at the centre of a network of state-owned and state-linked businesses known as "Dubai Inc.". The airport also hosts the biennial Dubai Air Show and has ample space for future expansion in the surrounding desert.
To accommodate the growing number of passengers, Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, approved a new $34.85 billion passenger terminal at the city's second airport, Al Maktoum International. The new airport will be the largest in the world, with a capacity of up to 260 million passengers. The operations will be transferred to Al Maktoum International in the coming years, and Emirates and FlyDubai will move to the new airport by 2032.
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Shanghai's Pudong International Airport: largest rise in rankings from 21st in 2023 to 10th in 2024
Shanghai Pudong International Airport witnessed a remarkable surge in passenger numbers, propelling it into the top 10 busiest airports worldwide in 2024. This significant rise in rankings, from 21st in 2023, is attributed to the resumption of international flights and the expansion of visa policies.
Serving Shanghai, China's largest city by population, Pudong Airport is the country's busiest international hub. It handles a substantial volume of international traffic, accounting for about half of its total passenger movements. Pudong Airport's connectivity extends to the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport through the Shanghai Metro Line 2 and the Shanghai Maglev Train, enhancing its accessibility.
The airport's rapid expansion as a hub for passenger and cargo traffic is undeniable. Pudong Airport's ongoing development projects reinforce its position as a prominent aviation centre. The construction of a third passenger terminal, a satellite terminal, and two additional runways are underway. These enhancements will significantly boost its annual capacity, enabling it to accommodate up to 80 million passengers and six million tons of freight.
The satellite terminal, in particular, stands out for its impressive scale. With a construction area of 622,000 square metres, it surpasses the size of the existing Pudong International Airport T2 terminal. This new satellite terminal will feature an H-shaped structure with two halls, S1 and S2, and is designed to handle 38 million passengers annually.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport's ascent in the rankings reflects the resumption of global travel and the increasing importance of Shanghai as an international destination. As the airport continues to expand and enhance its infrastructure, it is poised to play an even more significant role in the future of aviation in East Asia and beyond.
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London: busiest city airport system by passenger count
London has the busiest city airport system in the world by passenger count. Heathrow Airport, one of six major airports serving the London region, is Europe's busiest airline hub. However, Heathrow only has two runways, which operate at almost full capacity, resulting in heavy slot restrictions. Gatwick and Stansted are two other airports that serve the London region.
In 2024, global air travel reached 9.5 billion passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic. It has held this position every year since 1998, except in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a dip in passenger traffic.
Dubai International Airport, home base to Emirates, ranked second busiest in 2024, with 92 million passengers and flights to 85 countries on six continents. Dubai's prominence as a centre for business and investment is reflected in its high ranking. Shanghai's Pudong International Airport saw the largest rise in the rankings, jumping from 21st in 2023 to 10th overall in 2024. This surge in passengers was driven by the resumption of international flights and visa policy expansion.
In the United States, Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the eighth busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. It is a major hub for American and United Airlines, handling around 80 million passengers annually. However, O'Hare has faced negative reviews and flight disruptions due to its size and geographic challenges, including frequent blizzards and severe thunderstorms.
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US airports: 4 of the top 10 busiest airports in the world are in the US
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the US and the world. It handles 50.9 million passengers on 341,835 flights per year, which is almost 1,000 flights per day. This makes Atlanta one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport serves as a connecting hub for domestic and international travellers due to its location between North America, Europe, and Latin America. It offers 150 non-stop destinations across six continents.
The US has four of the top ten busiest airports in the world. Following Hartsfield-Jackson, the other US airports in the top ten are Los Angeles International Airport (40.9 million passengers), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (39.2 million passengers), and Denver International Airport (37.8 million passengers). These airports feature multiple runways and terminals to accommodate high volumes of air traffic.
While not in the top ten, Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, is also one of the busiest airports in the US and the world. The number of travellers passing through this Southern hub has nearly doubled over the past 20 years, prompting a $4 billion overhaul to accommodate increasing passenger numbers.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the other busiest airports in the US include Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Boston's General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, is the world's busiest airport.
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport every year since 1998, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, global air travel hit 9.5 billion passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport serves as a connecting hub for domestic and international travellers due to its position between North America, Europe, and Latin America. It also has 150 non-stop destinations across six continents.
Dubai International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world, with a record 92 million passengers in 2024. Shanghai's Pudong International Airport has also seen a significant rise in passenger traffic, jumping from 21st in 2023 to 10th overall.
As of 2024, the United States has the most airports in the top 50 list, with 15 airports. China follows closely with 11 airports in the top 50.
