The top 10 busiest airports in the world by aircraft movements

The following list is based on figures from Airports Council International (ACI) and displays the top 10 airports in order of total aircraft movements in 2022. Figures are calculated by totalling all aircraft landings and take-offs at each airport throughout the course of the year, with consideration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article was updated on 13 April 20223, based on figures published on 05 April 2023.

1. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

(ATL)

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

Total aircraft movements:  724,145

Compared to 2021: 2.3% increase

2. 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 aircraft movements: 711,561

Compared to 2021: 4% increase

3. 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 third busiest airport by passenger number.

Total aircraft movements:  656,676

Compared to 2021: 0.7% increase

4. Denver International Airport (DEN)

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

Total aircraft movements: 607,76

Compared to 2021: 4.6% increase

5. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport

 (LAS)

Located in Paradise, Nevada, McCarran International Airport is the main airport for public and military use in the Las Vegas Valley.

Total aircraft movements: 581,116

Compared to 2021: 19.4% 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 aircraft movements: 556,913

Compared to 2021: 9.9% increase

7. Charlotte Douglas International Airport

(CLT)

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a civil-military airport located in North Carolina and is financially operated on a fully self-sustaining basis.

Total aircraft movements:  505, 589

Compared to 2021: 2.8% decrease

8. Miami International Airport (MIA)

Essential to Miami-Dade’s trade status, Miami International Airport is the world’s largest gateway to Latin America & the Caribbean for international freight.

Total aircraft movements: 458,478

Compared to 2021: 18.2% increase

9. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Named after 35^thU.S. President John F. Kennedy, the airport is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens.  It is the main international airport serving New York City, with over 90 airlines operating from it. 

Total aircraft movements: 448,847

Compared to 2021: 54.4% increase

10. Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul Airport is the main international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey. It serves more than 350 domestic and international destinations in 110 countries, while its duty-free area is one of the largest worldwide.

Total aircraft movements: 425, 890

Compared to 2021: 52% increase

Passenger numbers

To view the top 10 busiest airports in the world by passenger number – click here.

Cargo handled 

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