Air Travel Is Back: These Are the World’s 10 Busiest Airports in 2024

Air travel is officially back on track! After years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, global passenger numbers have surged past pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, approximately 9.5 billion people flew worldwide, marking a 3.8% increase from 2019 and a 9% rise compared to 2023, according to preliminary data from Airports Council International (ACI) World.

A Promising Recovery

Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World, shared his excitement about the recovery, stating, “We’re thrilled to see traffic returning, and we anticipate continued significant growth moving forward, despite some ongoing challenges.”

Let’s take a look at the world’s top 10 busiest airports for 2024.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Atlanta continues to reign as the world’s busiest airport, a position it’s held for 26 of the last 27 years. In 2024, the airport served 108.1 million passengers, a 3.3% increase from the previous year. Despite still being slightly below its 2019 passenger volume, Atlanta remains a dominant hub for air traffic globally.

2. Dubai International Airport (DBX)

Dubai has solidified its position as the second-busiest airport, welcoming 92.3 million passengers in 2024, a 6.1% rise from 2023. The airport’s growth is reflective of its strong international connections and the booming travel demand in the Middle East.

3. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Dallas Fort Worth saw an impressive 17% jump in passenger traffic compared to 2019, reaching 87.8 million passengers in 2024. This growth is part of a broader trend of US hub airports thriving post-pandemic.

4. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)

Haneda continues to be a key player in global air traffic, ranking fourth with 85.9 million passengers. The airport’s growth has been fueled by a 9.1% increase from 2023, demonstrating Japan’s recovery in the travel sector.

5. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

London Heathrow maintained its position in the top five with 83.9 million passengers. While still recovering, the airport saw a 5.9% increase from last year, signaling a steady rebound for Europe’s busiest airport.

6. Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver’s traffic skyrocketed with a 19% increase from 2019, welcoming 82.4 million passengers in 2024. As a major US hub, Denver’s strong recovery reflects the rising demand for domestic air travel in the United States.

7. Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul’s strategic location as a global transit hub has paid off, as the airport saw 80.1 million passengers in 2024. With a 5.3% increase from 2023, Istanbul continues to benefit from airline expansions and enhanced international connectivity.

8. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Although still down by about 5% from 2019, Chicago O’Hare welcomed 80 million passengers in 2024—an 8.3% rise from the previous year. The airport is on track to recover fully in the coming years.

9. New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

New Delhi’s airport is thriving, seeing a 7.8% increase from 2023 and serving 77.8 million passengers. The rise in traffic reflects the growing demand for air travel in India and its expanding global connectivity.

10. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Pudong made the most significant leap, moving from 21st place in 2023 to 10th in 2024, with a remarkable 41% increase in passengers. This surge is attributed to China’s recovery, relaxed visa policies, and expanded international flight options.

While Atlanta continues to dominate, the future of air travel growth seems to lie in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, India, China, Latin America, and parts of Africa. ACI World predicts the continued rise of these regions, even amid challenges like geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.

Justin Erbacci commented, “We expect to see the most significant growth in Asia-Pacific, India, China, and Latin America. North America and Europe will still grow, but at a slower pace.”

Despite these challenges, the outlook for global air traffic remains strong, with ACI World projecting that traffic numbers will double by 2045.

As air travel continues to recover, it’s clear that the industry’s resilience is stronger than ever. The world’s busiest airports are bouncing back, and the future of global air travel looks brighter, with more growth expected in regions previously hit hardest by the pandemic.

Top 10 Busiest Airports in 2024:

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) – 108.1 million passengers (+3.3% from 2023)
2. Dubai International (DBX) – 92.3 million passengers (+6.1%)
3. Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) – 87.8 million passengers (+7.4%)
4. Tokyo Haneda (HND) – 85.9 million passengers (+9.1%)
5. London Heathrow (LHR) – 83.9 million passengers (+5.9%)
6. Denver International (DEN) – 82.4 million passengers (+5.8%)
7. Istanbul Airport (IST) – 80.1 million passengers (+5.3%)
8. Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – 80 million passengers (+8.3%)
9. New Delhi International (DEL) – 77.8 million passengers (+7.8%)
10. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) – 76.8 million passengers (+41%)

The sky’s the limit as the global air travel industry continues its remarkable recovery. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.

Source: CNN – Air ‘traffic is back’: These are the world’s 10 busiest airports