{"id":90323,"date":"2025-04-14T19:00:41","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T13:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=90323"},"modified":"2025-08-31T01:33:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T20:03:05","slug":"busiest-airports-in-the-world-2024-no-7-will-surprise-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/14\/busiest-airports-in-the-world-2024-no-7-will-surprise-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Busiest Airports in the World 2024, No. 7 Will Surprise You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its exclusive first look at the 2024 rankings of the busiest airports in the World<\/a>, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) maintaining its top position, followed by Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, these aviation hubs have demonstrated remarkable resilience, collectively handling approximately 855 million passengers in 2024. Istanbul Airport (IST) secured the surprising 7th position with over 80 million passengers, showing a dramatic 53.4% increase compared to 2019 levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"
Photo: Scarlet Sappho | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Busiest Airport in the World 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The preliminary figures from ACI World indicate that 2024 global passenger traffic reached nearly 5 billion, representing a 9% increase from 2023 and a 3.8% gain compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top 10 busiest airports, which account for 9% of global traffic, experienced an impressive 8.8% growth from 2023 and an 8.4% increase compared to their 2019 results of 789 million passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports shines,” said ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity. As air travel grows, ACI World stands ready to support its members, ensuring the smooth flow of people and goods that drive global economic, social, and cultural progress.”<\/p>ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 rankings reveal some notable movements among the world’s busiest airports:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)<\/a> defended its top position with 108 million passengers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Dubai International Airport (DXB)<\/a> maintained second place with 92.3 million passengers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)<\/a> climbed to third position from 10th in 2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)<\/a> held steady in the top 5<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)<\/a> moved up one spot from 2023<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Perhaps the most dramatic rise was Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), which jumped from 21st position in 2023 to 10th in 2024, showing a remarkable 41% year-over-year growth. This leap was fueled by expanded visa policies, the resumption of international flights, operational enhancements, and China’s broader recovery in the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rank 2024<\/th>Rank 2023<\/th>Rank 2019<\/th>Airport<\/th>2024 Passengers<\/th>% Change vs 2023<\/th>% Change vs 2019<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    1<\/td>1<\/td>1<\/td>ATLANTA, USA (ATL)<\/td>108,067,766<\/td>3.3<\/td>-2.2<\/td><\/tr>
    2<\/td>2<\/td>4<\/td>DUBAI, UAE (DXB)<\/td>92,331,506<\/td>6.1<\/td>6.9<\/td><\/tr>
    3<\/td>3<\/td>10<\/td>DALLAS\/FORT WORTH, USA (DFW)<\/td>87,817,864<\/td>7.4<\/td>17.0<\/td><\/tr>
    4<\/td>5<\/td>5<\/td>TOKYO, JAPAN (HND)<\/td>85,900,617<\/td>9.1<\/td>0.5<\/td><\/tr>
    5<\/td>4<\/td>7<\/td>LONDON, UK (LHR)<\/td>83,884,572<\/td>5.9<\/td>3.7<\/td><\/tr>
    6<\/td>6<\/td>16<\/td>DENVER, USA (DEN)<\/td>82,358,744<\/td>5.8<\/td>19.3<\/td><\/tr>
    7<\/td>7<\/td>28<\/td>ISTANBUL, TURKEY (IST)<\/td>80,073,252<\/td>5.3<\/td>53.4<\/td><\/tr>
    8<\/td>8<\/td>6<\/td>CHICAGO, USA (ORD)<\/td>80,043,050<\/td>8.3<\/td>-5.4<\/td><\/tr>
    9<\/td>10<\/td>17<\/td>NEW DELHI, INDIA (DEL)<\/td>77,820,834<\/td>7.8<\/td>13.6<\/td><\/tr>
    10<\/td>21<\/td>8<\/td>SHANGHAI, CHINA (PVG)<\/td>76,787,039<\/td>41.0<\/td>0.8<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Note: <\/strong>TOTAL PASSENGERS ENPLANED AND DEPLANED, PASSENGERS IN TRANSIT COUNTED ONCE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Dubai
    Photo: Compounded by Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Busiest International Airports in 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When looking specifically at international passenger traffic, Dubai (DXB) maintains its dominant position as the world’s busiest international hub with 92.3 million international passengers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    London Heathrow (LHR) secured second place, while Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Korea made a significant jump from 7th to 3rd position with a 26.7% increase over 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Istanbul Airport (IST) continues its impressive growth trajectory, ranking 7th for international traffic with nearly 63 million international passengers\u2014a 59.1% increase compared to 2019. This remarkable performance underscores Turkey’s strategic position as a global connecting hub between Europe, Asia, and Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rank 2024<\/th>Rank 2023<\/th>Rank 2019<\/th>Airport<\/th>2024 International Passengers<\/th>% Change vs 2023<\/th>% Change vs 2019<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    1<\/td>1<\/td>1<\/td>DUBAI, UAE (DXB)<\/td>92,331,506<\/td>6.1<\/td>7.0<\/td><\/tr>
    2<\/td>2<\/td>2<\/td>LONDON, UK (LHR)<\/td>79,194,330<\/td>5.7<\/td>4.1<\/td><\/tr>
    3<\/td>7<\/td>5<\/td>INCHEON, KOREA (ICN)<\/td>70,669,246<\/td>26.7<\/td>0.1<\/td><\/tr>
    4<\/td>5<\/td>7<\/td>SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE (SIN)<\/td>67,063,000<\/td>14.8<\/td>-0.8<\/td><\/tr>
    5<\/td>3<\/td>3<\/td>AMSTERDAM, NL (AMS)<\/td>66,822,849<\/td>8.0<\/td>-6.8<\/td><\/tr>
    6<\/td>4<\/td>6<\/td>PARIS, FRANCE (CDG)<\/td>64,469,356<\/td>5.0<\/td>-7.7<\/td><\/tr>
    7<\/td>6<\/td>14<\/td>ISTANBUL, TURKEY (IST)<\/td>62,975,429<\/td>8.1<\/td>59.1<\/td><\/tr>
    8<\/td>8<\/td>8<\/td>FRANKFURT, GERMANY (FRA)<\/td>56,185,219<\/td>3.9<\/td>-10.9<\/td><\/tr>
    9<\/td>12<\/td>4<\/td>HONG KONG, HONG KONG SAR (HKG)<\/td>52,949,047<\/td>34.4<\/td>-25.7<\/td><\/tr>
    10<\/td>9<\/td>15<\/td>DOHA, QATAR (DOH)<\/td>52,714,976<\/td>14.8<\/td>35.9<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"Tragedy
    Photo: Ferrovial Construction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Challenges and Future Outlook<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The aviation industry faced significant headwinds in 2024, including supply chain challenges from aircraft manufacturers, geopolitical tensions affecting flight routes, and increased operational costs. Despite these obstacles, passenger demand remained robust, though growth is expected to moderate in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ACI World forecasts global passenger traffic to reach 9.9 billion in 2025, representing a 4.8% year-over-year growth rate. This shift from recovery-driven surges to more structural, long-term growth patterns will require the airport industry to focus on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n