Busiest Airports Worldwide Ranked by Surging Passenger Traffic

Global air travel is roaring back, and the latest airport traffic figures prove it. After years of disruption, passenger numbers in 2023 nearly reached pre-pandemic levels, totaling close to 8.5 billion worldwide – about 93.8% of 2019’s volume​. By 2024, many major hubs not only recovered but soared to new heights, setting all-time records.

In this 2025 update, we compile the latest rankings of the world’s busiest international airports by passenger traffic and analyze year-on-year changes from 2023 to 2024. The focus is solely on passenger throughput (we’re skipping cargo tonnage and flight counts to zero in on people). The results reveal a shifting landscape: some familiar giants held their crown, while others surged up the ranks thanks to booming travel demand.

Let’s dive into the numbers, growth trends, and what they signal about global travel’s new era.

Global Air Travel Rebounds Strongly (2023–2024)

It’s hard to overstate how dramatic the rebound has been. In 2023 alone, passenger traffic jumped 27% compared to 2022​, fueled largely by the return of international travel. Airports Council International (ACI) reported that by the end of 2023, worldwide air travel had recovered to roughly 94% of 2019 levels.

Domestic travel led the initial comeback, but by late 2023 international flights were catching up fast​. As ACI’s Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira put it, “international passenger traffic has now almost fully recovered… China’s reopening fueled much of 2023’s strong growth”.

Indeed, the revival of major hubs in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific became a standout theme​.

By 2024, the global recovery not only continued but in some cases surpassed pre-pandemic records. Many top airports saw high single-digit percentage growth year-on-year, a remarkable feat on such large bases. The pent-up demand for travel and restoration of routes (especially long-haul international flights) led to new milestones at airports across different regions.

From North America’s mega-hubs to Asia’s gateways, passenger terminals were bustling like it’s 2019 – or even busier. With that backdrop, let’s look at which busiest airports handled the most passengers and how the rankings have shifted.

Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World (Passenger Traffic)

Below is a rundown of the world’s busiest airports by total passengers, comparing 2024 versus 2023. These figures count all passengers (departing, arriving, and connecting) and give us the latest ranking as of early 2025:

Table: World’s top 10 busiest airports by passenger volume. 2024 figures are full-year totals (some are official, others estimated based on available data). 2023 figures from ACI data​. YOY = year-over-year change.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

As shown, Atlanta (ATL) retains the title of world’s busiest airport. In 2023 it handled 104.7 million passengers​ and grew further in 2024 to an estimated 108 million – securing its lead by a wide margin. ATL is the only airport to ever surpass the 100-million mark in a year​, and it did so again as travel rebounded.

This sprawling U.S. hub, thanks to its massive domestic network and role as Delta’s fortress hub, shows no signs of ceding the #1 spot. It’s impressive, though notable that Atlanta has not yet quite broken its own 2019 record (when it saw about 110.5 million flyers). Still, a +3% rise in 2024 puts it within touching distance.

Dubai International (DXB)

The big story in the #2 spot is Dubai International (DXB). Dubai’s rapid recovery and growth in long-haul connectivity have catapulted it past all other challengers. In 2023, DXB served 86.9 million passengers​ – already enough to claim second place worldwide – and in 2024 it soared to a record 92 million travelers​. That’s about a 6% jump year-on-year, making 2024 the busiest year in Dubai’s history.

For context, DXB’s 2024 traffic even edged above its last pre-pandemic peak (89 million in 2019), underscoring the Middle East’s growing role as the crossroads of global travel. It’s remarkable: a decade ago, seeing Dubai so high in the global rankings might have raised eyebrows; now it’s firmly entrenched as one of the world’s primary travel hubs. The airport’s management has its sights set even higher, with capacity expansions aiming for 120+ million in the coming years​ – a sign that Dubai’s ascent may not be done.

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)

Coming in at #3 is Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) in Texas, which has solidified its status as the world’s third-busiest airport. DFW handled about 81.8 million passengers in 2023​, then continued its meteoric rise to an estimated upper-80s million in 2024. Airport officials hinted that “we could get really close to 90 million passengers” in 2024​ – an astounding figure that would shatter DFW’s records. This surge is driven by DFW’s huge domestic operations (American Airlines’ mega-hub) and a rapidly growing international portfolio.

Notably, DFW has exceeded its 2019 traffic by nearly 9%​, a rarity among top busiest airports. In the last decade, DFW climbed from 4th to 3rd in the world​, and with planned expansions (a new terminal is in the works), it’s gearing up for 100 million passengers in the not-too-distant future​. Everything really is bigger in Texas – including the passenger counts.

London Heathrow (LHR)

At #4, London Heathrow (LHR) has reclaimed its position as Europe’s busiest airport with a record-breaking 83.9 million passengers in 2024​. That’s up +5.9% from 2023 (79.2 million) and even 3 million more than Heathrow’s 2019 record – a milestone that Heathrow’s CEO celebrated as “exciting and record-breaking”​. This is a striking turnaround for an airport that was virtually deserted in 2020. By late 2023, Heathrow’s recovery was nearly complete, and 2024’s growth pushed it to new heights.

The transatlantic and European routes came back strong, and London’s role as a global business and tourism hub is clearly undiminished. (For perspective, Heathrow has very limited domestic traffic – its resurgence is almost entirely due to international travel demand.) With Heathrow predicting further growth in 2025, the competition among global hubs is heating up. Heathrow’s resurgence also means it narrowly outpaced Istanbul to reassert itself as Europe’s #1 in passengers.

Tokyo Haneda (HND)

Tokyo Haneda (HND) rounds out the top 5, marking an impressive comeback story. Haneda handled about 78.7 million travelers in 2023​ – which was a staggering 55% jump from 2022 as Japan fully reopened its borders. That leapfrog moved HND from 16th place in 2022 back up to 5th in 2023​. By 2024, with a full year of unrestricted international travel, Haneda likely surpassed 80+ million passengers (estimates put it around the low 80s).

While official 2024 figures aren’t yet published, it’s safe to say Haneda is nearly back to its pre-pandemic norm (~87 million in 2019). The combination of Tokyo’s huge local market and Haneda’s convenient downtown location has always made it a giant. Now that foreign tourists and business travelers have returned to Japan in droves, Haneda has firmly rejoined the global top five. It’s a testament to how quickly Asia-Pacific hubs rebounded once travel curbs were lifted.

Denver International (DEN)

Moving to the latter half of the top 10, several U.S. and international megahubs are closely clustered, and 2024 saw some jockeying for position. Denver International (DEN) comes in at #6 with 82.36 million passengers in 2024​, up +5.8% from its prior record of 77.8 million in 2023​. Denver has been on a steady upward trajectory for years – its 2024 total is a whopping 13% above 2019 levels, reflecting Colorado’s population boom and Denver’s emergence as a connecting hub.

In fact, DEN set new passenger records in 11 out of 12 months of 2024​ and smashed its all-time highs for both domestic and international traffic. It’s now the third-busiest airport in the US, ahead of Los Angeles and Chicago. Speaking of which, Los Angeles (LAX) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) occupy the #8 and #9 spots (roughly in the high 70-millions each). LAX saw about 75 million passengers in 2023​ and continued recovering in 2024 – likely ending near 78–79 million (helped by the return of Asia-Pacific routes).

It’s still a bit below LAX’s pre-COVID peak of 88 million, but the gap is closing. Chicago O’Hare, similarly, climbed from 73.9 million in 2023​ to an estimated ~77 million in 2024 as international flights ramped up again. Both LAX and ORD remain slightly under their 2019 figures, but their growth in 2024 underscores the general upswing in air travel.

Notably, these giant U.S. airports are no longer in the global top 5 as they once routinely were – a sign that others (like Dubai, Istanbul, and Asian hubs) have captured a larger share of the pie.

Istanbul Airport (IST)

One of the most significant shifts has been the rise of Istanbul Airport (IST), which sits at #7. Opened in 2019 to replace the old Atatürk Airport, Istanbul’s new hub wasted no time scaling the ranks. In 2023 it handled 76.0 million passengers​, and in 2024 it grew further to about 80 million (a ~5% rise). This cements Istanbul as Europe’s second-busiest airport (just behind Heathrow) and a formidable global player.

In fact, Istanbul’s 2024 traffic is roughly 45% higher than the combined Istanbul traffic of 2019 (when the new airport was still ramping up) – a testament to Turkey’s strategy of building a mega-hub. Turkish Airlines’ expansive network has turned IST into a connecting gateway between Europe, Asia, and Africa, siphoning some transit traffic that might have gone through traditional EU hubs.

The airport benefitted from minimal travel restrictions in 2021-2022 and kept growing. Now, with ~80 million passengers, Istanbul is clearly among the elite busiest airports and even challenges Dubai in the region. It’s a remarkable rise in just a few years.

Los Angeles International (LAX)

As Istanbul cements its place as a rising global transit hub, another long-standing powerhouse—Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)—continues to navigate its own transformation. While its total passenger count may not match that of Dubai or Atlanta, LAX remains an undeniable giant in international aviation, particularly when it comes to transpacific travel.

Positioned on the U.S. West Coast, LAX serves as the primary gateway between North America and Asia-Pacific, handling millions of travelers flying between the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, and Australia. Despite seeing a significant recovery in long-haul flights over the past two years, LAX’s total traffic still sits about 10% below its 2019 peak of 88 million passengers. The gap has been closing, though, with airlines reinstating routes and adding new frequencies to meet growing demand. By 2024, more flights to Tokyo, Seoul, and Sydney helped push the airport’s total passenger numbers to an estimated 78 million, a 4% increase over 2023.

However, LAX faces mounting challenges, not just from Middle Eastern and Asian mega-hubs, but also from domestic competitors like Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Denver (DEN). While Los Angeles remains the busiest airport in the U.S. for international travel, its domestic market share is eroding as other busiest airports expand their networks and flight options. Denver’s rapid growth in both domestic and international markets is one to watch, and DFW’s aggressive expansion plans are positioning it as a dominant player.

Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

Just behind LAX, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) holds firm as one of the world’s most significant aviation hubs, though its position in the global rankings has faced pressure from emerging mega-airports in Asia and the Middle East.

ORD has long been a key player in both domestic and international travel, acting as a major hub for United Airlines and American Airlines. This dual-hub setup allows O’Hare to maintain a vast network of routes across North America, while also serving as a primary connecting airport for flights to Europe and Asia. However, unlike Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)—which rely more heavily on domestic connections—ORD’s recovery has been somewhat slower due to its greater reliance on international travel.

That international segment is finally back in full swing, with transatlantic flights fueling much of O’Hare’s 2024 growth. The airport fully restored its pre-pandemic flight frequencies to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Seoul, with additional capacity expected in 2025. Thanks to robust demand for U.S.-Europe travel, ORD saw a steady 5% year-over-year increase in total passengers, reaching 77–78 million in 2024.

Beyond traffic recovery, O’Hare is also in the midst of one of the largest airport expansion projects in U.S. history. The multi-billion-dollar O’Hare Global Terminal project is a key component of Chicago’s efforts to modernize and expand its airport infrastructure. Once completed (expected in the late 2020s), the project will enhance passenger flow, increase international gate capacity, and improve overall efficiency. This investment reflects Chicago’s ambition to maintain its status as a global hub, even as newer airports challenge its place in the rankings.

Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl (DEL)

Rounding out the top 10, Delhi Indira Gandhi International (DEL) in India holds the #10 spot with 77.8 million passengers in 2024​. Delhi’s traffic saw a strong +7.8% jump from 72.2 million in 2023​, marking a new all-time high for the airport and for India. In fact, DEL has now exceeded its pre-pandemic figures (it handled ~68 million in 2019), reflecting India’s robust air travel growth. Delhi had entered the world’s top 10 in 2019 and, after a brief drop during COVID, clawed back to #9 in 2022 and #10 in 2023​.

Despite slipping one rank (Tokyo’s comeback pushed Delhi from 9th to 10th in 2023​, Delhi’s upward trajectory is unmistakable. It remains Asia’s third-busiest airport and a crucial international gateway for South Asia. With expansions underway (a fourth runway and terminal upgrades​, Delhi is gearing up for even larger numbers – the airport is rated for 100+ million capacity and plans to handle that in coming years​. India’s aviation boom isn’t just a local story; it’s influencing the global rankings, and Delhi is leading the charge.

It’s worth noting a few near-misses and emerging players just outside the top ten. Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) in China deserves a mention – it saw about 76.4 million passengers in 2024​, a massive +21% leap from 2023 as China’s travel market roared back to life​. That puts Guangzhou extremely close to the top 10 cutoff (in fact, it likely ranks #11 worldwide for 2024, up from #12 in 2023).

Similarly, Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Beijing Capital (PEK), which were absent from the top tier during China’s lockdown period, have begun climbing again. Pudong’s airline capacity surged ~29% in 2024 as China reopened​, suggesting its passenger numbers are rebounding sharply (though perhaps not yet enough to crack the top 10).

Year-on-Year Growth Trends and Analysis

Nearly every airport in the top 10 experienced solid growth from 2023 to 2024, but the context varies. 2023 was characterized by huge percentage jumps at many international hubs (as borders reopened) – for example, Heathrow grew +28.5% in 2023 vs 2022, and Haneda’s incredible +55% surge was the result of Japan’s late reopening.

By 2024, growth rates moderated to more sustainable levels (generally in the 4–10% range for the major airports), yet these gains were building on already recovered 2023 figures. In essence, 2023 was the big bounce-back year, and 2024 solidified the gains and in some cases pushed into record territory.

A few notable growth highlights from 2023 to 2024:

Heathrow’s record rebound

LHR’s +5.9% growth in 2024 doesn’t sound explosive, but it came on top of a +42% jump the year before (2022→2023). This final push brought Heathrow to its highest passenger count ever, edging past the 2019 high mark​. It signifies that transatlantic and European travel is fully back, and Heathrow’s slot-constrained terminals are as full as they’ve ever been.

Dubai’s continued climb

After a massive +31.7% surge in 2023 (when long-haul travel rebounded), Dubai still managed +6% in 2024, reaching a new peak of 92 million. Importantly, DXB is now slightly above 2019 levels​ – notable because many busiest airports are just getting back to 100%. Dubai’s growth underscores the strength of the Middle East as a connecting region; it also reflects how Emirates and other carriers quickly restored capacity.

As of 2024, DXB had the most international passengers of any airport (since ATL and DFW have huge domestic volumes, Dubai actually handles more international travelers than anyone else)​.

U.S. hubs hitting maturity

The big American airports (Atlanta, DFW, Denver, etc.) mostly saw mid-single-digit growth in 2024, as they had already recovered their domestic traffic earlier. For instance, Atlanta’s +3% and Denver’s +5.8% were enough to set new post-pandemic highs, but these busiest airports were operating near capacity by 2023 already. DFW’s growth (~8–10%) stands out because it’s aggressively expanding and adding flights – it was one of the few top airports to grow above pre-pandemic in 2023​ and again in 2024.

On the West Coast, LAX had a further recovery in 2024 thanks to international routes (it was up ~13% in 2023 and likely another ~5% in 2024). The trend in the U.S. is that domestic-heavy airports are leveling off near or above 2019 numbers, while the remaining growth is mainly from international traffic coming back (e.g., more Asian flights at LAX/SFO, more European flights at JFK, etc., though JFK itself is just outside the global top 10).

Asia-Pacific’s resurgence

The most dramatic year-on-year changes came from Asia-Pacific hubs due to the timing of reopenings. Tokyo Haneda’s passenger count in 2023 was more than 50% higher than 2022, and while 2024 growth was more modest, it built on that huge jump. Other Asian hubs saw similar patterns: Singapore Changi, Seoul Incheon, Hong Kong, etc., all saw significant increases as international travel in Asia roared back in 2023 and 2024.

While these particular airports aren’t in the global top ten, they dominate the international-only rankings (for instance, Dubai, Heathrow and Amsterdam were the top three in 2023 for international traffic, followed by the likes of Paris, Istanbul, and Changi). The key point is that Asia’s large airports are climbing fast – for example, Hong Kong International grew a stunning +40% in seat capacity in 2024 vs 2023​, and Incheon (Seoul) jumped +24% by that measure​. These gains foreshadow their re-entry into the upper ranks globally.

China’s big comeback (late 2023 into 2024)

China was the last major market to reopen (lifting travel restrictions in late 2022 and early 2023). As a result, Chinese busiest airports saw explosive growth especially in 2024 once outbound travel resumed en masse. Guangzhou’s +21% in 2024​ is a prime example – it added over 13 million passengers in one year, the most of any airport globally. We’re effectively witnessing a re-shuffling: Chinese hubs that temporarily fell off the top 10 in 2020–2022 are charging back and will likely displace some Western hubs again.

For now, in the 2024 rankings Guangzhou landed just shy of the 10th spot, but by the time 2025 figures are out, don’t be surprised if multiple Chinese airports are back in the top 10. The sheer domestic travel volume in China (which bounced back to pre-pandemic levels faster than international) combined with returning international flights means places like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu are regaining their former prominence.

Overall, comparing 2024 vs 2023, the top 10 busiest airports collectively handled about ~844 million passengers (summing our list’s 2024 figures) compared to 806 million in 2023​. That’s roughly a 4.7% increase in aggregate – a healthy growth on a huge base. Impressively, this combined top 10 throughput is now about 5% higher than the top 10 total in 2019 (which was ~801 million).

In other words, the world’s leading busiest airports have, in aggregate, exceeded their pre-pandemic traffic – an astonishing rebound if you recall the empty terminals of 2020. Of course, not every individual airport is above 2019 levels: some still have a gap to close (e.g. Atlanta is still a few million shy of its 2019 record​, and LAX/ORD are ~10–12% below 2019), while others have blown past 2019 (Denver +12.8%, Istanbul +45% vs 2019, etc.).

Regional Shifts and Notable Highlights

The latest rankings also highlight some interesting geographic shifts in global aviation:

United States dominance – tempered a bit

U.S. airports still occupy five of the top 10 spots (ATL, DFW, DEN, LAX, ORD)​, reflecting the huge domestic market. Throughout the pandemic, U.S. domestic travel rebounded faster than international, which in 2021–2022 briefly made the top of the list very U.S.-heavy. Now in 2024, with international markets back, the U.S. share of the top 10 has slimmed slightly (from 6 or 7 in some 2020–22 rankings down to 5).

Atlanta remains untouchable at #1, and Dallas/Fort Worth’s rise to #3 solidifies the U.S. hold on the podium. However, busiest airports like Los Angeles and Chicago – once firmly in the global top 5 – are now nearer the bottom of the top 10. This isn’t due to any decline on their part (they’re growing again), but because others have grown faster recently.

It’s a subtle shift: the U.S. is still a powerhouse, but the gap between American hubs and others has narrowed as worldwide travel resumes. Another point: several major U.S. airports just outside the top 10 continue to thrive – for instance, New York JFK handled around 62 million in 2023 (just outside the global top 10 at #13)​, and likely around 68+ million in 2024 as international flights returned there. The U.S. will continue to have many of the world’s busiest airports, but not exclusively so.

Middle East and the rise of mega-connecting hubs

Dubai’s ascension to #2 globally is a landmark moment. It’s joined by Doha and Istanbul in the broader top 20, which underscores how the Middle East/Turkey region has become a central axis for global travel. Istanbul, as discussed, is now Europe’s #2 and arguably a Middle East competitor as well, given Turkey’s geographic straddle. Doha Hamad International (DOH), while not in the top ten worldwide, has grown significantly (around 41 million passengers in 2023) and competes with Dubai for international traffic.

The Gulf hubs have capitalized on their geographic advantage, capturing connecting traffic between all corners of the globe. In 2023, Dubai had more international passengers than any other airport​, and that likely held true in 2024. These airports also bounced back quickly by mid-2021 and kept gaining momentum.

The Middle East’s representation among the world’s busiest airports is punching above the region’s local population, reflecting a strategic role in global connectivity. We’re essentially witnessing a shift where the global travel map has multiple centers – not just the traditional U.S. and Western Europe, but also the Gulf region now consistently produces one of the top 3 busiest airports on earth.

Europe’s battle for the top

Within Europe, London Heathrow and Istanbul are in a neck-and-neck race for the continent’s busiest title. Heathrow’s 83.9M in 2024 edges Istanbul’s ~80M, giving London the crown (for now)​. But Istanbul isn’t far behind and has plenty of room to grow with its new infrastructure. Other European hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) have recovered, but at around 66M and 62M in 2023 respectively​, they remain below the top 10 globally.

Frankfurt, Madrid, and Barcelona are further down. One interesting note: Heathrow’s bounce-back means it once again has no European peers in the global top 5 (a position it held for decades pre-2020). After a shaky couple of years, Heathrow’s dominance in Europe is reasserted. Meanwhile, Istanbul’s emergence is a new dynamic – it wasn’t even open in early 2019 and now surpasses every other European airport.

For travelers, this means more options for routings (e.g., you might connect in Istanbul or Dubai instead of Frankfurt or Amsterdam, depending on the airline). Europe overall saw a strong recovery, but growth is slower compared to places like Asia, so we might see fewer European airports in the global top ten going forward, with only the very largest (London, Istanbul, perhaps Paris) in that echelon.

Asia-Pacific: on the rise again

In 2019, half of the world’s top 10 airports were in the Asia-Pacific region (Beijing, Tokyo, Dubai, Tokyo HND, Hong Kong). The pandemic dramatically altered that, but now the pendulum is swinging back. Tokyo is back in the mix, Delhi is firmly in the top 10, and as mentioned, China’s giants are catching up quickly. While Beijing Capital (PEK) hasn’t yet reappeared at the top (because its traffic is split with the newer Beijing Daxing airport, and 2023 was a partial year of reopening), we anticipate Beijing might rejoin the top ranks by 2025 once combined traffic is considered.

Singapore Changi, Hong Kong, Incheon, etc., are not top 10 by total passengers due to having no domestic traffic, but they feature among the busiest for international passengers and are climbing back to pre-2019 figures (for instance, Hong Kong handled ~47 million in 2023, up 283% from 2022’s paltry 12M) – a huge bounce but still below its 74.5M in 2019.

A New Era of Mega-Hubs

The strong performances in 2024 set the stage for an interesting 2025 and beyond. Many industry analysts predict that global passenger traffic will fully surpass 2019 levels in 2025, marking a complete recovery and the beginning of a new growth cycle. In fact, some airports are already planning for this expansion: London Heathrow expects another record year in 2025​, and Dallas/Fort Worth is strategizing to reach 100 million passengers by 2028​. Atlanta’s officials are preparing for “record growth” with expansion plans as the airport inches back toward its all-time high​.

One big factor for 2025 will be China’s return to international travel in full force. We saw the first wave of that in 2024 with Guangzhou and others, but 2025 could be the year Beijing and Shanghai make a real splash in the rankings again. If Beijing’s two airports continue to split traffic, Guangzhou might become China’s best bet for a top-10 slot – and indeed, with 76+ million in 2024​, it’s within striking distance.

We’ll also be watching whether Delhi can climb further (its growth has been consistent and India’s air travel appetite is huge), and if Istanbul will challenge for a global top-5 position as it grows its network even more.

How Airport Expansions Are Reshaping Global Travel

Another trend is the increasing capacity of airports – many of the top airports are undergoing or planning expansions. For example, Dubai is building an even larger airport (Al Maktoum International) in the coming years to eventually replace DXB and handle up to 260 million passengers​. Istanbul’s new airport has phase-wise expansions planned to handle well over 100 million.

Even traditionally capacity-constrained places like Heathrow are lobbying for growth (albeit a third runway project remains contentious). These developments suggest that the ceiling is far from reached for global air travel – the busiest airports today could handle significantly more passengers in the future, and new mega-hubs could emerge.

From a traveler’s perspective, these numbers and rankings aren’t just statistics – they reflect the options and connectivity you experience. The fact that Dubai or Istanbul have joined the top ranks means more one-stop connections for long-haul trips via those hubs. The growth of places like DFW and DEN shows the increasing choices within the U.S. for domestic and international connectivity beyond the coasts. And the resurgence of Asian hubs means easier access to and from Asia-Pacific regions.