Airports Council International (ACI World), the leading global airport organization, confirmed today the data certifying the 20 airports with the most passenger, cargo, and aircraft traffic in 2023.
With the exception of some Asian airports re-entering the Top 20 after countries maintained strict international passenger movement restrictions until well into 2022, the rest of the positions hold no major surprises.
The airport with the highest number of passengers in 2023 was again Atlanta (ATL), with 104,653,451 passengers, 11.7% higher than in 2022 but still 5.3% below 2019. The second place went to Dubai Airport (DXB) with 86,994,365 passengers (+31.7% vs 2022 and +0.7% vs 2019), moving up three positions in a year. The podium was completed by Dallas/Fort Worth Airport with 81,755,438 passengers (+11.4% vs 2023 and +8.9% vs 2019).
According to ACI World, the top 20 airports represented 16% of global traffic (out of 8.8 billion passengers, +30% vs 2022 and -5.8% vs 2019), collectively growing 26.4% compared to 2022 but still 3.2% below 2019.
Guangzhou (CAN) and Seoul-Incheon (ICN) airports were paradigmatic cases of the Asian market’s recovery, with growth rates of 142% and 213% respectively.
Madrid-Barajas Airport re-entered the Top 20 with 60,181,604 passengers in 2023, 18.9% more than in 2022 and 2.5% less than in 2019. No airports from Latin America and the Caribbean made it to the main ranking.
Eight of the twenty airports are located in the United States, largely driven by its strong domestic market, which accounts for between 70% and 95% of their total traffic.
“The dataset findings indicate that the demand for air travel is as strong as ever. International passenger traffic has now almost fully recovered from the pandemic, and the regional disparities are gone. China’s reopening fuelled much of 2023’s strong growth and has propelled Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport back into the Top 20. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport continues to lead the way, but the revival of Middle East and Asia-Pacific hubs is the standout takeaway from 2023 figures,” said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General and CEO of ACI World.
Regarding aircraft movements, the top positions remained unchanged and unsurprising. Atlanta (ATL) was the busiest airport in 2023 with 775,818 registered operations, 7.1% more than in 2022 and 14.2% less than in 2019. The second place went to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) with 720,582 movements (+1.3% vs 2023 and -21.7% vs 2019). Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) closed the podium with 689,569 operations (+5% vs 2023 and -4.2% vs 2019).
Globally, there were nearly 96 million aircraft movements, 12.6% more than in 2022 and a recovery of 92.8% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The top 20 airports represented 11% of global traffic, collectively growing 12.2% versus 2022 and recovering 95.4% of 2019 levels.
Air cargo at airports globally saw a 1.8% decline in 2023 (-4.9% vs 2019), with nearly 115 million metric tonnes handled, of which 42% was concentrated in the top 20 airports. The decline was greater at -3.2% compared to 2022, but there was a 1.6% growth compared to 2019.
Hong Kong Airport (HKG) was the busiest airport for air cargo in 2023, with 4,329,934 metric tonnes, 3.1% more than in 2023 but 10% less than in 2019. The second place went to Memphis (MEM), with 3,881,211 metric tonnes(-4% vs 2022 and -10.2% vs 2019). Shanghai (PVG) completed the podium with 3,440,084 metric tonnes(+10.4% vs 2022 and -5.3% vs 2019).
Seven of the twenty busiest cargo airports are in the United States, and seven are in Asia.
“Whatever position in the rankings an airport occupies, each is integral to the communities it serves. Airports are resilient, adaptable and support social and economic development. ACI World continues to advocate for airports worldwide to ensure their societal benefits are enjoyed by as many people as possible,” concluded De Oliveira.
ACI World data is collected from over 2,700 airports in more than 185 countries and territories. The full report is priced at USD 5,000 for regular users, USD 1,750 for members representing airports, and USD 1,750 for associates.
