ATL Still World’s Busiest Airport, But International Rebound Shakes Up ACI Top 10

U.S. airports’ recent dominance on the list of busiest passenger airports in the world waned in 2023, with Dubai International Airport (DXB) surging to second place following repeat first-place hub Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), according to Airports Council International (ACI) World.

“The influx of passengers at international airports has been central in bolstering the recovery of hubs reliant on this segment, consequently influencing the composition of the top 10 busiest airports for total passengers,” ACI World said in a statement.

The organization released preliminary figures detailing the 10 busiest airports in the world in 2023, showing ATL serving 104.7 million passengers, up 11.7% over 2022, when it also took the top spot. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) dropped behind DXB into the third slot, with DXB handling 87 million passengers, up 31.7% year-over-year, and DFW serving 81.8 million passengers, up 11.7% year-over-year.

DXB passed 2019 traffic levels by 0.7% in 2023, while ATL remained 5.3% below 2019 and DFW posted an 8.9% gain over 2019.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) took the fourth spot at 79.2 million passengers, up 28.5% year-over-year but down 2.1% compared to 2019. In 2022, the four top airports were in the U.S.

Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) placed fifth in 2023 at 78.7 million passengers, up 55.1% year-over-year, but still down 7.9% versus 2019. HND was the 16^th-busiest airport in the world in 2022 and had the largest jump among the top 10 in 2023.

Denver International Airport (DEN) dropped from third in 2022 to sixth in 2023, handling 77.8 million passengers, up 12.3% year-over-year and up 12.8% compared to 2019.

Istanbul Airport (IST) placed seventh—its same spot as 2022—at 76 million passengers handled in 2023, up 18.3% year-over-year and up 45.7% over 2019. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was the eighth-busiest airport in the world in 2023, handling 75 million passengers, up 13.6% compared to 2022 but down 14.8% compared to 2019. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) fell from fourth to ninth-busiest in the world in 2023, handling 73.9 million passengers, up 8.1% year-over-year but down 12.7% from 2019.

Rounding out the top 10 is New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), which handled 72.2 million passengers in 2023, up 21.4% year-over-year and 5.4% above 2019.

ACI said preliminary figures show the world’s airports handled 8.5 billion passengers in 2023, 93.8% of 2019 levels. “Notably, international traffic recovery drew nearer to that of domestic traffic, emphasizing its essential role in propelling the industry’s resurgence and expansion,” ACI World said.

No U.S. airports were among the top 10 in international passengers, with domestic traffic driving their numbers to the top ranks.

ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said 2023 global airline passenger traffic was “fueled by the international segment, propelled by several factors. Among these were the anticipated benefits from China’s reopening and a growing inclination toward travel despite macroeconomic conditions.”

Reacting to ATL retaining the top spot on the list for the third straight year, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said: "ATL’s success is Atlanta’s success, and being home to the world’s busiest airport underscores our city’s economic vitality. It is a testament to our global connectivity and an affirmation of our city’s place on the world stage.”

The world’s collective domestic airline traffic rose 20.2% year-over-year in 2023, reaching 96.8% of 2019 levels, while international traffic increased 36.5% compared to 2022, or 90.4% of 2019.

The top 10 airports represent around 10% of global airline traffic, handling a combined 806 million passengers in 2023, according to ACI World. The top 10 saw collective traffic rise 19.8% in 2023 from 2022, or 0.7% over 2019.