The world is a network of connections, and airports lie at the heart of this network. Airports facilitate the movement of millions of people across continents, shaping global travel and commerce. Today, we will look at the busiest airports in the world by passenger traffic.
World’s busiest airports by passenger traffic
We’ve used data from the Ports Authority of New York and New Jersey to list the busiest airports by passenger traffic.
| Airport | Country | Total passengers |
|---|---|---|
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport | United States | 104,653,451 |
| Dubai International Airport | United Arab Emirates | 86,994,365 |
| Dallas Fort Worth International Airport | United States | 81,755,538 |
| Heathrow Airport | United Kingdom | 79,183,364 |
| Tokyo Haneda Airport | Tokyo | 78,719,302 |
| Denver International Airport | United States | 77,837,917 |
| Istanbul Airport | United States | 76,027,321 |
| Los Angeles International Airport | United States | 75,050,875 |
| O’Hare International Airport | United States | 73,894,226 |
| Indira Gandhi International Airport | India | 72,214,841 |
Also Read: Top 10 busiest airports in India
Without further ado, let’s learn a little bit about the busiest airports in the world:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Established: September 15, 1926
- Location: Georgia, United States
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been the world’s busiest airport since 1998. This massive airport in Atlanta, Georgia, serves as a major Delta Air Lines hub. In 2023 alone, it funnelled over 104.6 million passengers through its multiple terminals and offered convenient connections to the city via highways, rail, and the MARTA rapid transit system.
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Established: 30 September 1960
- Location: Dubai
Situated in Dubai’s Al Garhoud district, Dubai International Airport serves as a primary gateway between East and West and is the home base for Emirates Airlines. However, after the expansion of Al Maktoum Airport, Dubai International Airport will be shut down.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Established: 23 September 1973
- Location: Dallas, United States
DFW Airport, situated in Texas, nabs the third position on the list of busiest airports in the world. Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW is a central connection point for domestic and international travel. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, the world’s largest airline according to the number of scheduled passengers carried. Also Read: Top 10 credit cards for airport lounge access in India
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Established: 25 March 1946
- Location: Hounslow, United Kingdom
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) was the busiest airport in Europe in 2023 and consistently ranks among the busiest airports in the world for passenger traffic. Situated west of London, England, LHR serves as a major gateway to Europe and a key connection point for international travel. Heathrow is the major hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Established: August 15, 1931
- Location: Hanedakuko, Ota City, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) is one of the two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other being Narita International Airport (NRT). The Japanese Government encourages the use of Haneda Airport for premium business travel and Narita Airport for leisure and low-cost carriers. Haneda is the primary domestic base for Japan’s two largest airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. Also Read: Top 10 debit cards with airport lounge access in India
Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Established: February 28, 1995
- Location: Denver, United States
In Denver, Colorado, DEN is a major hub for connecting flights across North America and beyond. It’s a primary hub for United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Denver Air Connection, making it a key connection point for both domestic and international travel. DEN served over 77.8 million passengers in 2023. This airport also boasts being the largest employer in Colorado. With a land area exceeding 33,531 acres (52.4 square miles), it holds the title of the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by landmass.
Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Established: 29 October 2018
- Location: Tayakadın,Türkiye
IST serves as the primary hub for Turkish Airlines and also accommodates a wide range of international carriers. It is a major global aviation hub, handling millions of passengers annually and connecting them to over 300 destinations in more than 120 countries. Opened in 2018, IST is a relatively new airport with state-of-the-art architecture and technology, including an automated baggage handling system.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Established: October 1,1928
- Location: Los Angeles, United States
LAX is a hub for several major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. It is also the world’s busiest origin and destination airport, meaning a higher proportion of travellers begin or end their trips at LAX than use it for connecting flights. The airport serves as a hub, focus city, or operating base for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States.
O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Established: February 1944
- Location: O’Hare, Chicago, Illinois, United States
O’Hare boasts the title of the world’s most connected airport, offering non-stop flights to over 214 destinations. ORD is a primary hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines. Designed initially to succeed Chicago’s Midway International Airport, O’Hare’s history began as a World War II airfield to serve as a Douglas manufacturing plant. The airport has undergone several name changes before receiving its current designation in honour of aviator Edward “Butch” O’Hare. Also Read: Countries that give visa-free access to Indians
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI)
- Established: 1930
- Location: New Delhi, India
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), located in Delhi, is India’s busiest airport. It has three operational passenger terminals (T1, T2, T3) catering to domestic and international flights. The airport connects to Delhi via metro, taxis, and ride-sharing services. IGI Airport is a major hub for many Indian airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which airport has more traffic, Delhi or Mumbai?
Delhi handles a higher volume of passengers (73,673,708) compared to Mumbai (52,820,754). Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is India’s busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. 2. Where is Asia’s largest airport?
In terms of planned capacity, Asia’s largest airport is not operational yet. It’s the Noida International Airport in Jewar, India. Upon completion, it will surpass other contenders for the title, like Beijing Capital International Airport.