TThe world is a network of connections, and airports are at the heart of that network. Airports facilitate the movement of millions of people across continents, shaping global travel and trade. Today we look at the airports with the highest passenger volumes in the world.
The world’s busiest airports by passenger volume
We used data from the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey to list the airports with the highest passenger volume.
| 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 about the busiest airports in the world:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Founded: September 15, 1926
- Location: Georgia, USA
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been the world’s busiest airport since 1998. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this massive airport serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines. In 2023 alone, it processed over 104.6 million passengers through its numerous terminals and provided convenient connections to the city via highways, rail, and the MARTA rapid transit system.
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Founded: September 30, 1960
- Location: Dubai
Dubai International Airport is located in the Al Garhoud district of Dubai and serves as an important gateway between East and West. It is also the home airport of Emirates Airlines. However, following the expansion of Al Maktoum Airport, Dubai International Airport will be closed.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Founded: September 23, 1973
- Location: Dallas, USA
DFW Airport in Texas ranks third on the list of the world’s busiest airports. Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, it is a central hub for domestic and international travel. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, the world’s largest airline by number of passengers carried. Also read: Top 10 credit cards for airport lounge access in India
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Founded: March 25, 1946
- Location: Hounslow, UK
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) was Europe’s busiest airport in 2023 and is consistently among the world’s busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic. Located west of London, England, LHR serves as a major gateway to Europe and a key transfer point for international travel. Heathrow is the main hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Founded: August 15, 1931
- Location: Hanedakuko, Ota City, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) is one of the two international airports in the Tokyo metropolitan area, along with Narita International Airport (NRT). The Japanese government promotes the use of Haneda Airport for premium business travel and Narita Airport for leisure and low-cost travel. Haneda is the main domestic airport 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)
- Founded: February 28, 1995
- Location: Denver, USA
Located in Denver, Colorado, DEN is a major hub for connecting flights throughout North America and beyond. It is a primary hub for United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Denver Air Connection, making it a major transfer point for domestic and international travel. DEN served over 77.8 million passengers in 2023. This airport also boasts of being the largest employer in Colorado. With a land area of over 33,531 acres (52.4 square miles), it is the largest airport by area in the Western Hemisphere.
Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Founded: October 29, 2018
- Location: Tayakadın, Turkey
IST serves as the main hub for Turkish Airlines and also serves a variety of international airlines. It is a major global air transport 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)
- Founded: October 1, 1928
- Location: Los Angeles, USA
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 busiest departure and arrival airport in the world, meaning that a larger share of travelers begin or end their trip at LAX than use it for connecting flights. The airport serves as a hub, center, or operating base for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States.
O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Year of foundation: February 1944
- Location: O’Hare, Chicago, Illinois, USA
O’Hare is the world’s most connected airport, offering nonstop flights to over 214 destinations. ORD is a major hub for United Airlines and American Airlines. Originally designed as a successor to Chicago’s Midway International Airport, O’Hare’s history began as a World War II airfield that housed a Douglas factory. The airport was renamed several times before receiving its current name in honor of pilot Edward “Butch” O’Hare. Also read: Countries that offer visa-free access to Indians
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI)
- Year of foundation: 1930
- Location: New Delhi, India
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi is India’s busiest airport. It has three passenger terminals (T1, T2, T3) for domestic and international flights. The airport is connected to Delhi by 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 passenger volume (73,673,708) than Mumbai (52,820,754). Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is India’s busiest airport in terms of passenger volume. 2. Where is Asia’s largest airport?
The largest airport in Asia in terms of planned capacity is not yet operational. It is Noida International Airport in Jewar, India. Once completed, it will surpass other contenders for the title, such as Beijing Capital International Airport.
