The year 2024 witnessed a remarkable evolution in global aviation, with significant growth in airline capacities as air travel continued to rebound.
According to OAG Data, this analysis offers a detailed breakdown of the busiest airports worldwide, segmented into global, international, and regional rankings.
From Atlanta’s dominance to Dubai’s strategic positioning, this report highlights the shifting dynamics of air travel in a post-pandemic world. Here’s a closer look at the key insights and trends shaping aviation in 2024.
Photo: Dallas International Airport (DFW)Busiest Global Airports of 2024
The analysis of 2024’s busiest airports reveals fascinating trends in global air travel. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) maintains its dominance with 62.7 million seats, showing a modest 2% growth from 2023.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) secures second place with 60.2 million seats, demonstrating remarkable growth of 7% year-over-year and 12% compared to 2019.
| 1 | ATL | Hartsfield-Jackson | Atlanta | 62,743,665 |
| 2 | DXB | Dubai | Dubai | 60,236,220 |
| 3 | HND | Haneda | Tokyo | 55,204,580 |
| 4 | LHR | Heathrow | London | 51,553,190 |
| 5 | DFW | Fort Worth | Dallas | 51,516,707 |
| 6 | DEN | Denver | Denver | 49,218,244 |
| 7 | CAN | Baiyun | Guangzhou | 48,852,986 |
| 8 | IST | Istanbul | Istanbul | 48,517,967 |
| 9 | PVG | Pudong | Shanghai | 48,503,741 |
| 10 | ORD | O’Hare | Chicago | 46,992,360 |
Photo: Dubai International Airport, Terminal 21. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
- Airline Capacity: 62,743,665
In 2024, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) maintained its position as the world’s busiest airport. The airport showed a 2% increase from 2023 but remained slightly below (-1%) its 2019 levels. The airport has consistently held the top spot since 2023.
2. Dubai International Airport(DXB)
- Airline Capacity: 60,236,220
Dubai’s main hub demonstrated impressive growth with a 7% increase from 2023 and 12% above 2019 levels. It retained its position as the second busiest airport globally and remains the busiest international airport.
3. Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND)
- Airline Capacity: 55,204,580
Tokyo Haneda (HND), Japan’s busiest airport, maintained its third position with 55.2 million seats, showing a healthy 5% growth compared to 2023 and surpassing its 2019 capacity by 1%.
4. London Heathrow International Airport (LHR)
- Airline Capacity: 51,553,190
Europe’s busiest airport, London Heathrow (LHR) held fourth place with over 51.5 million seats, showing a 4% increase from 2023 and exceeding its 2019 capacity by 3%.
5. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Airline Capacity: 51,516,707
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) made significant gains, rising from 13th place in 2019 to 5th in 2024. The airport showed impressive growth with a 7% increase from 2023 and 18% above 2019 levels.
6. Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Airline Capacity: 49,218,244
Denver International Airport (DEN) showed remarkable growth, jumping from 21st place in 2019 to 6th in 2024. The airport increased capacity by 5% from 2023 and demonstrated the second-highest growth among the top 10, with 24% above 2019 levels.
7. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
- Airline Capacity: 48,852,986
China’s aviation recovery is evident with Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) moving up from 12th place in 2019 to 7th in 2024. The airport showed strong growth with a 12% increase from 2023 and 9% above 2019 levels.
8. Istanbul International Airport (IST)
- Airline Capacity: 48,517,967
Istanbul International Airport (IST) continued its impressive growth trajectory, rising from 16th place in 2019 to 8th in 2024. The airport increased capacity by 5% from 2023 and stands 15% above 2019 levels.
9. Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
- Airline Capacity: 48,503,741
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) demonstrated the most dramatic growth among the top 10, with a 29% increase from 2023. The airport moved up from 15th place in 2023 to 9th in 2024, showing China’s strong aviation recovery.
10. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Airline Capacity: 46,992,360
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) rounds out the top 10 with nearly 47 million seats. While showing an 8% increase from 2023, it remains 7% below its 2019 capacity levels.
These rankings highlight the global aviation industry’s recovery and growth, with particularly strong showings from Middle Eastern, Asian, and North American airports.
The data reflects total airline capacity, including both domestic and international flights for 2024.
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Photo: Dubai International AirportBusiest International Airports of 2024
| 1 | DXB | Dubai International | Dubai | 60,236,220 |
| 2 | LHR | London Heathrow | London | 48,358,450 |
| 3 | ICN | Seoul Incheon International | Seoul | 41,633,831 |
| 4 | SIN | Singapore Changi | Singapore | 41,530,309 |
| 5 | AMS | Amsterdam | Amsterdam | 39,998,853 |
| 6 | IST | Istanbul | Istanbul | 38,636,958 |
| 7 | CDG | Paris Charles de Gaulle | Paris | 38,482,460 |
| 8 | FRA | Frankfurt International | Frankfurt | 35,736,533 |
| 9 | HKG | Hong Kong International | Hong Kong | 34,607,000 |
| 10 | DOH | Doha | Doha | 32,455,882 |
1. Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Airline Capacity: 60,236,220
Dubai International Airport (DXB) maintains its position as the world’s busiest international airport, showing remarkable growth with a 7% increase from 2023 and 12% above 2019 levels. It has consistently held the top position since 2019.
2. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Airline Capacity: 48,358,450
Maintaining its second position globally, London Heathrow (LHR) showed steady growth with a 4% increase from 2023 and remains 2% above its 2019 levels. It continues to be Europe’s busiest international airport.
3. Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Airline Capacity: 41,633,831
Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) made an impressive jump from 7th place in 2023 to 3rd in 2024, with a significant 24% growth in capacity. However, it remains slightly below (-2%) its 2019 levels.
4. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Airline Capacity: 41,530,309
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) moved up from 5th place in 2023, showing strong recovery with a 15% increase in capacity. Like ICN, it remains slightly below (-2%) its 2019 levels.
5. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
- Airline Capacity: 39,998,853
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) dropped from 3rd place in 2023 to 5th but maintained growth with an 8% increase in capacity. Currently operating at 3% below 2019 levels.
6. Istanbul International Airport (IST)
- Airline Capacity: 38,636,958
Istanbul International Airport (IST) maintained its 6th position from 2023, showing steady growth of 8% and an impressive 20% growth compared to 2019, marking one of the strongest recoveries among top airports.
7. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Airline Capacity: 38,482,460
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) dropped from 4th place in 2023 despite 5% growth in capacity. Currently operating 7% below 2019 levels.
8. Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
- Airline Capacity: 35,736,533
Maintained its 8th position from 2023 with 7% growth but remains 10% below 2019 levels, showing ongoing recovery challenges.
9. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Airline Capacity: 34,607,000
Showed the most dramatic growth among the top 10 airports with a 40% increase from 2023, moving up from 11th place. However, it is still 23% below 2019 levels, reflecting the impact of previous restrictions.
10. Doha International Airport (DOH)
- Airline Capacity: 32,455,882
Doha International Airport (DOH) moved down one position from 2023 but showed strong growth of 13% and sits 19% above 2019 levels, demonstrating Qatar’s growing importance as an international hub.
Photo: SkytraxBusiest European Airports 2024
| 1 | LHR | London Heathrow | London | 51,553,190 |
| 2 | IST | Istanbul | Istanbul | 48,517,967 |
| 3 | CDG | Paris Charles de Gaulle | Paris | 42,080,518 |
| 4 | AMS | Amsterdam | Amsterdam | 40,004,242 |
| 5 | FRA | Frankfurt International | Frankfurt | 39,631,163 |
| 6 | MAD | Madrid Adolfo Suarez-Barajas | Madrid | 38,146,041 |
| 7 | BCN | Barcelona | Barcelona | 31,824,302 |
| 8 | FCO | Rome Fiumicino | Rome | 30,486,201 |
| 9 | MUC | Munich International | Munich | 26,738,742 |
| 10 | LGW | London Gatwick | London | 25,500,205 |
1. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Airline Capacity: 51,553,190
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) maintains its dominant position as Europe’s busiest airport, showing robust growth with a 4% increase from 2023 and performing 3% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
2. Istanbul International Airport (IST)
- Airline Capacity: 48,517,967
Istanbul International Airport (IST) demonstrates impressive growth as Europe’s second busiest airport, with 5% growth from 2023 and a remarkable 15% increase compared to 2019, showing strong recovery and expansion.
3. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Airline Capacity: 42,080,518
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) holds steady in third position with 4% growth from 2023, though still operating 7% below 2019 levels, indicating ongoing recovery efforts.
4. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
- Airline Capacity: 40,004,242
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) shows significant improvement, moving up from 5th place in 2023, with an 8% capacity increase, demonstrating strong recovery momentum.
5. Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
- Airline Capacity: 39,631,163
Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) dropped from 4th place in 2023 despite 6% growth, and remains 12% below 2019 levels, highlighting continued recovery challenges.
6. Madrid Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport (MAD)
- Airline Capacity: 38,146,041
Maintains its sixth position consistently across recent years, showing stable performance in the European aviation market.
7. Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
- Airline Capacity: 31,824,302
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) holds the seventh position, consistent with its 2023 ranking and showing improvement from its 2019 eighth-place position.
8. Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
- Airline Capacity: 30,486,201
Demonstrates the strongest growth among top European airports with a 21% increase from 2023, now operating 9% above 2019 levels.
9. Munich International Airport (MUC)
- Airline Capacity: 26,738,742
Munich International Airport (MUC) despite moving up from 10th place in 2023 with 13% growth, remains 16% below 2019 levels, showing the most significant gap to pre-pandemic capacity.
10. London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
- Airline Capacity: 25,500,205
Dropped to tenth position from ninth in 2023, maintaining its presence among Europe’s busiest airports despite fluctuating rankings.
This analysis reveals a mixed recovery pattern across European airports, with some showing robust growth beyond pre-pandemic levels while others continue to work toward full recovery.
Notable success stories include Istanbul’s sustained growth and Rome’s remarkable capacity increase, while traditional powerhouses like Frankfurt and Munich face ongoing challenges in reaching their 2019 capacity levels.
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