Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was the world’s busiest airport in 2024
With 62.7 million seats
The latest 2024 data on the busiest airports worldwide represents the aviation industry’s resilience. As global recovery from the pandemic accelerates, air travel continues to grow significantly. The data, compiled by OAG using Global Airline Schedules, offers a comprehensive look at the most frequented airports in 2024, compared to previous years, including 2023 and 2019.
The rankings show which airports are leading the pack and highlight the regions and countries where air traffic has seen the most remarkable recoveries.
Atlanta maintains the top spot
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) was the busiest global airport in 2024 and retained its position from 2023 to 2019. In 2024, ATL handled a staggering 62.7 million seats, reflecting a modest increase of 2% over 2023. However, compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, ATL’s capacity was slightly down by 1%.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) was second globally, with 60.2 million seats, a 7% increase over last year and a 12% jump from 2019. This growth indicates Dubai’s status as a key international hub, catering to leisure and business travellers with increasing demand for flights to and from the Middle East.
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) secured third place globally with 55.2 million seats, growing by 5% from 2023. North American airports feature prominently in the following positions: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) ranks fifth, and Denver International Airport (DEN) ranks sixth.
These airports saw exceptional growth, with DFW’s capacity up 18% compared to 2019 and DEN experiencing a 24% increase, which marked the highest growth among the top ten busiest airports. This significant growth is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of these airports in the face of the pandemic.
This year, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) stood out, moving from 15th place in 2023 to 9th place in 2024. PVG’s capacity surged by 29% as China’s aviation industry recovered from the pandemic, reflecting a resurgence in domestic and international travel.
Several airports made notable gains compared to 2019, including DFW, DEN, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), and Istanbul Airport (IST). These airports, ranked in the top 10 for the first time, showed substantial improvements in their airline capacities. DFW, for example, ranked 13th in 2019 but now finds itself in the top five, while DEN jumped from 21st in 2019 to sixth place in 2024.
Dubai International Airport was the world’s busiest international airport in 2024, with 60.2 million seats, holding its position for the third consecutive year. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is in second place with 48.4 million seats, a 4% increase from 2023. This is a solid performance for the UK’s busiest airport, which has faced various challenges over the years, including capacity constraints and fluctuating demand.
Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) experienced one of the most notable rises in international rankings, moving up four spots to become the third busiest international airport in the world with 41.6 million seats. ICN’s capacity grew by 24% in 2024 compared to 2023, though it fell slightly behind 2019 by 2%.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) also saw a dramatic capacity increase, growing by 40% from 2023. However, HKG’s capacity is still 23% below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the slow recovery of Hong Kong’s air travel market.
On the other hand, Istanbul Airport (IST) reported a 20% increase in capacity compared to 2019, with 38.6 million international seats, helping it secure sixth place in the rankings.
European airports
In Europe, London Heathrow Airport remained the busiest in 2024, handling 51.6 million seats, representing a 4% increase from 2023 and a 3% increase from 2019. This strong performance demonstrates Heathrow’s enduring position as Europe’s primary hub for international flights despite ongoing challenges such as rising airport charges and capacity limitations.
Istanbul Airport followed closely in second place with 48.5 million seats, marking a 5% rise from 2023 and a 15% increase from 2019. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) held third place in Europe, with 42.1 million seats, a 4% increase from last year, although it remained 7% below 2019.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) placed fourth with 40 million seats, showing an 8% rise over 2023. Among the airports further down the rankings, Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) had the most significant capacity increase in 2024, surging by 21% compared to 2023 to secure the eighth spot. Notably, FCO also exceeded its 2019 capacity by 9%.
Regional highlights
Looking at regional leaders, Atlanta once again claimed the top spot for North America, while Tokyo International Airport (HND) led the Asia Pacific region with over 55 million seats. In the Middle East and Africa, Dubai International Airport dominated with more than 60 million seats, and Bogotá Airport in Latin America was the region’s busiest, handling over 28.5 million seats in 2024.
Overall, the data from 2024 illustrates the resilience and growth of the global aviation industry. While some airports have experienced challenges reaching pre-pandemic capacity levels, many have seen substantial improvements, particularly in regions like North America and Asia. The figures also show a significant recovery from the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, offering hope for the future of air travel.
The Top ten Busiest Global Airports are calculated using total airline capacity (domestic and international flights). In comparison, the Top ten Busiest International Airports are calculated using international airline capacity only. The rankings are based on scheduled one-way airline capacity for 2024.
Hero image: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) was the busiest airport in the world for 2024 and retained its position from 2023 and 2019. Credit: ATL
