ACI World reveals top 10 busiest airports in the world

ACI World revealed top 10 busiest airports in the world.

Airports Council International (ACI) World has published the top 10 busiest airports in the world for 2022. This was a pertinent year, welcoming back some of the largest airport hubs during growing international traffic and marks an important milestone for air travel’s post-pandemic recovery. 

Passenger traffic

Preliminary figures indicate that with the resumption of international travel, 2022 global passenger traffic reached close to 7 billion, representing an increase of 53.5% from 2021, or a 73.8% recovery from 2019 results.

The top 10 airports for total passenger traffic, representing 10% of global traffic, witnessed a gain of 51.7% from 2021 amounting to 85.9% recovery vis-à-vis their 2019 results.

Holding their positions from 2021, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL, 93.7 million passengers, +23.8%) is at the top of the 2022 rankings, followed by Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW, 73.4 million passengers, +17.5%), Denver Airport (DEN, 69.3 million passengers, +17.8%), and Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD, 68.3 million passengers, +26.5%).

From the top 10 airports globally, five are in the United States. They all have significant domestic passenger shares (between 75% and 95% domestic traffic). 

Airports reinstated in the upper ranks also include Dubai Airport achieving 5^th rank (DXB, 66.1 million passengers, +127%), Istanbul Airport reaching 7^th position (IST, 64.3 million passengers, +73.8%), followed by London Heathrow Airport, Delhi Airport, and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in the 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th spots respectively.

The biggest jump in the top 10 was recorded for London Heathrow (LHR). The airport improved its ranking from the 54^th position as borders reopened in March 2022 after two years of closures.

ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: “The new top 10 busiest airports for passenger traffic reflects the resilience of the airport and aviation industry, and the eagerness of passengers to travel by air. While U.S. airport hubs were able to recover quicker due to their strong domestic market, we are now witnessing global hubs joining upper ranks—including Dubai, Istanbul, and London Heathrow airport. While we continue to march forward cautiously amidst multiple headwinds that could impact the speed and magnitude of global air traffic recovery, the latest rankings represent an important milestone in reaching pre-pandemic levels. The re-opening of China, the second largest aviation market after the U.S., is now expected to bring an overall gain, both domestically and for international travel.

“The ongoing recovery of air travel demand would not be possible without the continuous work of airports to provide a safe, secure, efficient, and sustainable air transport ecosystem for the passengers that we depend on and the communities we serve. ACI World will remain committed to representing the best interests of airports on the global stage during key phases of policy development and to promoting airport excellence.” 

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.