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The top 10 busiest airports in the world by passenger number

Posted: 13 April 2023 | International Airport Review | 10 comments

In this article, we review which airports had the highest passenger numbers in 2022, based on the total number of departing, arriving, transferring and direct passengers, throughout COVID-19.

Top 20 Largest Airports in the World by Passenger Number in 2019

The following list is based on figures from Airports Council International (ACI) and displays the top 10 busiest airports in order of total passenger numbers in 2022. Passenger figures are calculated by summing the totals of departing passengers, arriving passengers, transferring passengers and direct transit passengers at each airport throughout the course of the year. In particular, the year 2022 welcomed back some of the world’s largest airport hubs as international traffic returns, marking an important milestone in air travel’s full recovery from the impact of the pandemic

This article was updated on 13 April 2023, based on figures published on 05 April 2022.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Acting as the primary international airport serving Atlanta, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is second busiest airport in the world by passenger numbers and aircraft movements.

Total passengers in 2022: 93, 699, 630

Compared to 2021: 23.8% increase

2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Located across two counties due to its size, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the largest hub for American Airlines and fourth busiest airport by passenger number.

Total passengers in 2022: 73, 362, 946

Compared to 2021: 17.5% increase

3. Denver International Airport (DEN)

Generating over $26 billion for the region of Colorado each year, Denver International Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in the U.S., the world’s largest aviation market.

Total passengers in 2022: 69, 286, 461

Compared to 2021: 17.8% increase

4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, O’Hare International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world and one of the most significant transportation hubs in the U.S.

Total passengers in 2022: 68, 340, 619

Compared to 2021: 26.5% increase

5. Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Dubai International Airport is the primary international airport serving Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has an economic impact of $26.7 billion and is spread of 7,200 acres of land.

Total passengers: 66, 069, 981

Compared to 2021: 127% increase

6. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Located along the West Coast of the U.S., Los Angeles International Airport is a gateway to multiple international destinations, particularly Asia and the Pacific.

Total passengers in 2022: 65, 924, 298

Compared to 2021: 37.3% increase

7. Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul Airport is the main international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutky district on the European side of the city.

Total passengers in 2022: 64,289,107

Compared to 2021: 73.8% increase

8. London Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport is the main international airport serving London, and is the largest of the six international airports of the London airport system. The airport is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings.

Total passengers in 2022: 61,614, 508

Compared to 2021: 217.7% increase

9. India Gandhi Delhi International Airport (DEL)

Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary international airport serving Delhi, the capital of India. The airport, spread over an area of 5,106 acres is situated in Palam, Delhi.

Total passengers in 2022: 59,490,074

Compared to 2021: 60.2% increase

10. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the principal airport serving the French capital, Paris (and its metropolitan area), and the largest international airport in France. It is situated in Roissy-en-France.

Total passengers in 2022: 57, 474, 033

Compared to 2021: 119.4% increase

Cargo handled

To view the top 10 busiest airports in the world by tonnes of cargo handled – click here.

Aircraft movements

To view the top 10 busiest airports in the world by aircraft movements – click here.

Related airports

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN), Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL), Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Related organisations

Airports Council International (ACI World)

10 responses to “The top 10 busiest airports in the world by passenger number”

Phillip Fine says:
2 March 2017 at 1:00 pm
Although Atlanta remains in no. 1 spot, Beijing and Dubai are nipping at Atlanta’s feet! Moreover, it’s interesting that the bulk of Atlanta’s arrivals and departures come from domestic, and not foreign, flights. It’s also interesting that Dubai has grown so quickly that it now eclipses LAX!
Reply
CARLOS SANTANA says:
3 March 2017 at 2:59 pm
It is amazing how top International Airport have the most in infrastructure both in facilities and technologies all over the world.
Passengers are requering more and more services and these 20 selected airports have them all. New services and technologies the very most important facts to serve and satisfy Internation al passenger…and I havehad the experience to be in Dallas Fortworth,TX DFW-US, twice while I was in American Airlines Learnig Center- Flagship University-today.
Really, I was astonished and surprised for all of it.
Reply
Diana Tohm says:
28 September 2017 at 12:07 am
I’m surprised u didn’t mention Bush International Airport in Houston Texas to be among the top 20 businesses whether it’s domestic and international airports. I’m a flighattendant 14 years with British Airways and always fly out of Bush. Bush is my home hub because I married an American.I’m originally from Oxford England
Reply
Neil Fisher says:
12 April 2018 at 2:57 pm
What would be interesting to note is not how many passengers pass through an airport – but how many of those passengers actually enter the city itself.
Reply
TOM DAVIS WASSWA says:
13 April 2018 at 6:45 am
Thanks,China appears to be growing steadily.
Reply
Eva Manyedi says:
1 October 2018 at 9:35 am
Amazing! I have recently been to Doha which when I checked I was given an impression that it’s number 6 largest in the world but to my surprise it is not among the top 20! Out of the 20 I have passed through 6, Atlanta and Dubai are amazing!
Reply
Sujoy Kar says:
23 April 2019 at 8:13 pm
6 out of the 20! Dubai is class apart in terms of shopping options… Bangkok is another cool airport. Changi and Hong Kong are little over hyped. Outside Asia, loved Sydney and Schiphol – amazing airports!!
Reply
Mrityunjay Kumar says:
29 April 2019 at 7:32 pm
Delhi Airport deserved to be in the list. Thank you for including this!
Reply
Michael says:
3 February 2020 at 7:50 pm
To me, there is no airport like Heathrow airport, especially Terminal 2, the most beautiful and friendly one! I hope no Brexit will bring it down in years to come.
Reply
Josh says:
4 June 2022 at 6:51 pm
Provably this airport is not it the 200 busiest, but coming to the airport from the capital city os Santo Domingo, this airport have the most beautiful scenery adorn by palms and blue ocean i have seen, and right before you enter the airport ground punta caucedo there is a Native American cemetery overlooking a great encenada. To me this is priceless
Reply

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Latest News

The top 10 busiest airports in the world by passenger number

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)