What Were The World’s Top 20 Busiest Airports in 2023?

The Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its latest Airport Traffic Dataset, showing the world’s top 20 busiest airports.

This article will cover the details surrounding the ACI’s dataset that shows world’s busiest 20 airports during 2023.

World’s 20 Busiest Airport’s – 2023 – Passengers

Data Credit: Airports Council International (ACI)

As you can see from the above passenger dataset, the world’s busiest airport, Atlanta, still remains number one in terms of passenger count. Atlanta has held the number one spot for three years in a row.

Atlanta is then followed by Dubai overtaking Dallas Fort Worth, Denver and Chicago. These top 20 airports represent 16% of the world’s passenger traffic levels, handling 1.41 billion.

The largest increase in terms of passenger count between 2022 and 2023 is Seoul’s Incheon Airport in Korea. Jumping from 99th place in 2022 to the 20th in 2023.

World’s 20 Busiest Airport’s – 2023 – Cargo

As you can see from the above cargo dataset, the world’s busiest airport, Hong Kong, still remains number one in terms of passenger count. Hong Kong has held the number one spot for three years in a row.

This is also the same for Memphis, which has held second place for three years in a row. Followed by Shanghai’s Pudong Airport in third place.

It is worth noting the air freight volumes are on the decline, decreasing by 1.8% year-on-year. With 2023 handling 115 million tonnes. These top 20 airports represent 42% of the global air freight demand.

20 Busiest Airport’s – 2023 – Movements

During 2023, aircraft movements totalled to nearly 96 million. This is a global increase of 12.6% over 2022 and sits at 92.8% of what was seen pre-pandemic in 2019.

The above world’s top 20 airports represent 11% of the world’s aircraft movements. Coinciding with its passenger count, Atlanta is number one for two years running. This is followed by Chicago then Dallas Fort Worth.