Top 10 Busiest Airports Globally: A 2024 Overview
Team Youngistaan
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has claimed the title of the busiest airport globally for the second consecutive year, based on OAG’s latest annual rankings. The airport maintained its top spot after accommodating 62.7 million seats in 2024, according to the aviation analytics firm.
OAG’s rankings are determined by the scheduled capacity of airlines flying through these airports, not by the number of passengers flying. This methodology keeps Atlanta ahead of other airports in terms of total capacity. Notably, the United States dominated the rankings, with four airports securing positions in the top ten. In addition to Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) ranked fifth, Denver (DEN) placed sixth, and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) landed in tenth.
Here’s a look at the top 10 busiest airports globally in 2024:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Dubai International (DXB)
- Tokyo International – Haneda (HND)
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)
- Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)
- Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
OAG’s Chief Analyst, John Grant, emphasized that Atlanta’s continued success reflects its strength as a hub for both domestic and international travel, supported by a robust set of major airlines. Grant also pointed out the fierce competition in the U.S. market, with Dallas/Fort Worth and Denver showing significant growth, offering more choices for connecting travelers.
Atlanta saw a 2% increase in its capacity in 2024, further cementing its position as the busiest airport. Interestingly, all ten airports on the list experienced growth in 2024. Among these, Shanghai Pudong stood out, achieving a remarkable 29% growth, climbing from 15th place in 2023 to 9th place in 2024.
The continued growth in airports like Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, and Chicago reflects the competitive nature of the U.S. airport market, with each seeing a 5-9% increase in capacity.
