Global Air Travel Rebounds: The 10 Busiest Airports in the World
After years of recovery from the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, global air travel has officially bounced back. In 2024, passenger numbers exceeded pre-pandemic figures for the first time, marking a major milestone for the aviation industry.
According to preliminary data released by Airports Council International (ACI) World, approximately 9.5 billion passengers traveled through airports worldwide last year. This represents a 3.8% increase compared to 2019 and a 9% rise over 2023 figures. ACI World, which advocates for 2,181 airports across 170 countries, shared the update on Monday.
“We’re very happy to see that the traffic is back, and we’re anticipating significant growth moving forward right now, even with some of the headwinds that we’re seeing,” said Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World, in a statement to CNN Travel.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has once again earned the title of the world’s busiest airport. The bustling Delta Air Lines hub in Georgia’s capital has claimed the No. 1 spot in global rankings for 26 out of the past 27 years — briefly slipping in 2020 during the height of the pandemic when air travel saw an unprecedented decline.
Close behind, Dubai International Airport solidified its position as the second-busiest airport in the world. After making its debut in the No. 2 spot in 2023, the Middle Eastern hub maintained its ranking in the latest top 10 list.
The airports in Istanbul, Turkey, and New Delhi, India — Nos. 7 and 9, respectively — “have been thriving due to airline expansion, infrastructure growth and enhanced global connectivity,” according to an ACI World news release.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport landed at No. 8 in the 2024 rankings. While its passenger numbers remain about 5% below 2019 levels, the airport showed a solid 8% increase over 2023. “It’s building up for higher growth,” noted ACI World’s Justin Erbacci.
At No. 10, Shanghai Pudong International Airport made the most dramatic leap in this year’s rankings — soaring from 21st place in 2023 to the global top 10. Passenger traffic surged by an impressive 41%, driven by expanded visa policies, the revival and growth of international routes, operational improvements, and the broader recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in China, according to ACI World.
Atlanta Holds Strong, But Future Growth Shifts to Emerging Markets
While Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport appears likely to maintain its position as the world’s busiest airport, its 2024 passenger count — approximately 108 million — remained about 2% below its 2019 total.
“We expect Atlanta to hold its leading position for the foreseeable future,” said Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World. However, he noted that the most substantial growth in the coming years will likely emerge from other regions.
“We’ll continue to see stronger growth across Asia Pacific, India, China, and Latin America — and to a lesser extent, Africa,” Erbacci explained. “Meanwhile, developed regions like North America and Europe will still see growth, but at a more moderate pace.”
Despite a number of headwinds in 2024 — including economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and delays in aircraft production — ACI World maintains an optimistic outlook for the industry.
Despite global challenges, the aviation industry continues to show remarkable resilience. “I think that we’re seeing the continued resiliency of passenger travel, even with some major global disruptions,” said ACI World’s Justin Erbacci.
While ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty could influence air travel — particularly in areas like airline capacity and passenger demand — the full extent of the impact remains unclear.
“Obviously, if the uncertainty, tariffs, and related issues persist, it could affect the growth projections we’re making right now,” Erbacci commented during an interview last week, prior to President Donald Trump’s pause on the latest round of U.S. tariffs.
Even so, ACI World remains cautiously optimistic. The organization is keeping a close eye on global developments, but the long-term outlook is bright.
“The prognosis for further growth is strong, and we anticipate that global passenger traffic could double by 2045,” Erbacci added.
World’s top 10 busiest airports for passenger traffic in 2024
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL): 108.1 million passengers; up 3.3% from 2023
2. Dubai (DBX): 92.3 million passengers; up 6.1% from 2023
3. Dallas Fort Worth (DFW): 87.8 million passengers; up 7.4% from 2023
4. Tokyo Haneda (HND): 85.9 million passengers; up 9.1% from 2023
5. London Heathrow (LHR): 83.9 million passengers; up 5.9% from 2023
6. Denver (DEN): 82.4 million passengers; up 5.8% from 2023
7. Istanbul (IST): 80.1 million passengers; up 5.3% from 2023
8. Chicago O’Hare (ORD): 80 million passengers; up 8.3% from 2023
9. New Delhi (DEL): 77.8 million passengers; up 7.8% from 2023
10. Shanghai Pudong (PVG): 76.8 million passengers; up 41% from 2023
