Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its exclusive 2024 rankings of the world’s busiest airports, spotlighting their resilience in the face of global economic and geopolitical challenges. Despite lingering uncertainties, these major air hubs have retained their top positions and are well-positioned for sustained growth and operational excellence.
ACI World Director General, Justin Erbacci, emphasized the critical role these airports play in facilitating global trade, commerce, and connectivity. “Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity. As air travel grows, ACI World stands ready to support its members, ensuring the smooth flow of people and goods that drive global economic, social, and cultural progress,” he said.
Preliminary figures show that global passenger traffic in 2024 reached nearly 9.5 billion, marking a 9% increase from 2023 and a 3.8% rise over pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The top 10 busiest airports accounted for 855 million passengers, or 9% of global traffic—an 8.8% increase from 2023 and 8.4% growth compared to 2019.
Leading the rankings, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its top spot, Dubai International Airport ranked second and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport held third place.
A notable change came from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which jumped from 21st in 2023 to 10th in 2024. This leap was driven by visa policy reforms, the return and growth of international routes, and strong regional recovery in Asia-Pacific, especially China.
Istanbul Airport and New Delhi International Airport also showed remarkable performance, reflecting continued airline expansion, infrastructure development, and improved global connectivity.
The year 2024 brought with it numerous uncertainties, including:
- Ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions from aircraft manufacturers.
- The impact of potential tariffs, increasing operational costs, and shifting flight routes.
- Passenger sentiment and travel demand fluctuating amid global instability.
- Construction cost escalations impacting airport projects and expansions.
Despite these challenges, the global air travel sector remains on an upward trajectory. Projections for 2025 suggest global passenger traffic could reach 9.9 billion, reflecting a 4.8% year-over-year growth. However, this signals a transition from post-pandemic recovery surges to a phase of steady, structural growth.
Advanced markets are likely to experience a slower pace of growth due to capacity limitations and supply chain constraints. In contrast, emerging markets are expected to benefit from higher infrastructure investments and a growing middle-class travel base.
ACI notes that airports must now prioritize Financial resilience, Infrastructure investment, Operational efficiency and Sustainability strategies
Global air cargo volumes in 2024 are estimated at 124 million metric tonnes, reflecting an 8.4% increase from 2023 and a 3.9% gain over 2019 levels. The top 10 cargo airports handled 32.3 million metric tonnes, or 26% of total global cargo, and saw a 9.3% year-over-year rise, outpacing 2019 by 9.5%.
Key drivers of cargo growth include, Increased e-commerce activity, Disruptions in maritime shipping and Lower jet fuel prices.
The top 3 cargo airports are, Hong Kong International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Memphis International Airport.
In 2024, global aircraft movements are projected to hit 100 million, up 4.3% from 2023 and reaching 97.4% of 2019 levels. The top 10 airports collectively handled 6.4 million aircraft movements, reflecting a 6.5% increase from 2023 and a 0.4 rise from 2019.
Top 3 airports for aircraft movements:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
As global air traffic enters a new era of growth, the airport industry’s ability to navigate uncertainty while scaling sustainably will determine its long-term success.
