Top Airports Globally, Ranked by Activity
In the year 2023, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (KATL) retained its position as the world's busiest airport, serving a staggering 104,653,451 passengers. This impressive figure marks a significant milestone in the airport's history.
Following closely behind, Dubai International Airport (DXB) took the second spot, with over 86 million passengers. This remarkable growth in passenger traffic propelled Dubai International Airport to surpass Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), respectively, to claim the runner-up position.
The United States continues to dominate the global aviation market, with multiple US airports appearing on this list. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) secured the third position, serving over 81 million passengers. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) followed closely, with almost 80 million passengers.
Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) (HND) came in fifth, with 78.7 million passengers. New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) ranked sixth, serving over 73 million passengers. The exact rankings for the seventh, eighth, and tenth busiest airports were not explicitly provided in the search results, but based on historical data trends, it is likely that these positions were filled by other large hubs such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), or Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG), also known as "Paris-CDG" or "Roissy," stood tall as Air France's home base and one of Europe's primary gateways, serving 57,474,033 passengers in 2023. Dubai International Airport, a global hub for travelers hopping between continents, connected passengers to over 270 destinations across six continents and served 66,069,981 passengers.
Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) served 65,924,298 passengers in 2023, making it a prime entry point for international visitors to the U.S., especially from the Asia-Pacific region. Istanbul Airport (LTFM), located in Istanbul, Turkey, is a testament to Turkey's age-old role as a bridge between continents and served 64,289,107 passengers.
Denver International Airport (KDEN), located in Denver, Colorado, rounded out the top 10 with 69,286,461 passengers. Istanbul Airport (LTFM) replaced Atatürk Airport and became fully operational in 2019.
Dubai International Airport offers world-class lounges with amenities like showers, spas, and gourmet food, while Dubai International Airport's expansive duty-free shopping area is a popular destination for travelers. Heathrow Airport (EGLL) has been a beacon for international travelers since its inception.
The rankings are based on official passenger data from 2023 compiled from the Airports Council International (ACI) and related sources. This ranking focuses strictly on passenger traffic, not aircraft movements or flight departures.
In the global aviation market, Dubai International Airport, with its world-class amenities and expansive duty-free shopping, serves as a popular hub for travelers connecting between continents, reaching 66,069,981 passengers in 2023, showcasing a link between lifestyle and travel. The busy airport in Los Angeles, KLAX, serves as a prime entry point for international visitors, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region, with 65,924,298 passengers in 2023, blurring the lines between travel and lifestyle.
