Infographics

World’s Busiest Airports By Domestic and International Passenger Traffic

Air travel has become a more widespread mode of transport across the world in recent years, and some of the world’s busiest airports have emerged. Each year, these airports serve millions of passengers and connect people across continents to facilitate trade and commerce. The rankings of the world’s busiest airports by passenger traffic are changing as Asia, Europe, and North America compete with each other to become number one. In this article, we’re going to explore the latest rankings of the world’s busiest airports by passenger traffic and get a better understanding of why these airports are attracting so many travelers.

The following are the world’s top 5 busiest airports according to Airports Council International (ACI):

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the leading international airport serving Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

ATL is the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic. In 2022, the airport served more than 93.7 million passengers, a 23.8% increase over the previous year’s total of 75.7 million passengers.

Did you know?

For 21 consecutive years, the airport has been the busiest in the world.
The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.
ATL has a total area of 4,700 acres, with five parallel runways.

Since 1998, Hartsfield Jackson International Airport has been the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic.
The primary hub of Delta Air Lines is Hartsfield Jackson. With more than 1,000 flights a day to 225 domestic and international destinations, Delta is the world’s biggest air hub.
This airport has over 60,000 employees, making it the largest employer in Georgia.

The airport has been a race track since it was built. Every year, there’s a 5K race on one of the runways.

2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas Fort Worth Airport, also known as DFW, is the main airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and the North Texas Region in the United States state of Texas.

DFW is the 2nd world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic. In 2022, the airport served more than 73.4 million passengers, a 17.5% increase over the previous year’s total of 62.5 million passengers.

Did you know?

On January 13, 1974, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport opened for the first time.
DFW is the 4th largest airport in the world, with an area of over 69.6 square km. There are five terminals and 168 gates.
It is the first carbon-neutral airport in North America.
There are 193 domestic and 67 international nonstop destinations available to DFW Airport customers.
DFW is the perfect freight gateway to the world, with 22 cargo carriers providing a global freighter service.

3. Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport (DIA) is an international airport located in the west of the U.S., which primarily serves major cities like Denver and Colorado.

Denver International Airport is the third world’s busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. In 2022, the airport served more than 69.3 million passengers, a 17.8% increase over the previous year’s total of 58.8 million passengers.

Did you know?

Denver Airport is the second largest airport in the world, behind King Fahd International Airport. The land area is 135.71 sq. km.
With a length of 16,000 feet (4.88 km), Runway “16R/34L” is the biggest public-use runway in North America continent and the 7th longest in the world.

Denver was opened in 1995 and currently serves 25 different airlines offering nonstop service for over 215 destinations from the Americas, Europe, or Asia; it is the 4th airport in the U.S. to reach 200 destinations.
The airport has been a major hub of both United Airlines and Frontier Airlines, as well as one of the largest landing points for Southwest Airlines.
Since 2000, the airport has been among the world’s top 20 busiest airports every year.

4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is a major airport located in Chicago, Illinois. It’s located on the city’s northwestern side, which is around 27 km north of the downtown Loop business district.

O’Hare International Airport is the 4th world’s busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. In 2022, the airport served more than 68.3 million passengers, a 26.5% increase over the previous year’s total of 54 million passengers.

Did you know?

O’Hare has nonstop flights to 214 destinations.

O’Hare is considered the world’s most connected airport as of 2023.
The airport covers more than 30.86 square km, making it the world’s 14th biggest airport. It has four passenger terminals with nine concourses with a total of 182 gates.
O’Hare is the main hub for American Airlines, United Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

5. Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the United Arab Emirates’ most important international airport providing services to Dubai. It’s located in Al Garhoud, approximately five kilometers from the city center of Dubai.

Dubai International Airport is the 5th world’s busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. In 2022, the airport served more than 66 million passengers, a 127% increase over the previous year.

Did you know?

Dubai Airport’s land area is 29.13 sq. km, making it the world’s 16th biggest airport.

India, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia are the most popular destinations at Dubai Airport. The most popular route is London Heathrow and Doha.
The airport has three passenger Terminals. “Terminal 3” is the biggest terminal building in the world.
The hub of the Middle East’s most important airline, Emirates, as well as FedEx Express and Flydubai, is DXB airport.

The DXB Duty-Free shop is the largest in the world.
Inside the building, the airport has its own five-star hotel.
More than 90 000 people are currently employed by DXB.

Lastly, the most important role in connecting people and facilitating global travel is played by the world’s busiest airports. These airports continue to be major traffic centers for millions of travelers every year, despite constant changes in the ranking.