Airports play an important role in the transport sector, allowing people to travel to their planned destination safely and quickly. But there are some airports that are larger than the rest and have made a mark for themselves over the years, serving millions of passengers each year. The world’s top airports, as determined by Airports Council International, are based on the amount of traffic they handle. The following is a list of the largest airports in the world, in terms of passenger traffic, cargo movement, and total aircraft movements.
The Three Largest Airports in the World
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport – USA
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s largest airport in terms of passenger numbers and the world’s busiest in terms of overall traffic. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the airport serves over 107 million passengers annually, and over 2.5 million passengers use the airport daily. On an average day, the airport handles over 270,000 passengers, 1,400 flights, 740 tons of cargo, and 2,500 aircraft movements. Hartsfield–Jackson is also a major hub for Delta Air Lines, ExpressJet, and Delta Connection and has won many awards, including being designated a “High Performing Airport.”
- Beijing Capital International Airport – China
Beijing Capital International Airport, located in the Chaoyang District of Beijing, is the second-largest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers. The airport serves about 96 million passengers a year, making it the busiest airport in Asia and the second-busiest in the world. Beijing Capital International Airport offers both domestic and international flights and provides more than 270 destinations all over the world. It is also the primary hub for Air China and Hainan Airlines.
- Dubai International Airport – UAE
Dubai International Airport is the third-largest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic and the world’s busiest airport for International passengers. Located in Jebel Ali, Dubai, the airport serves over 89 million passengers annually, and over 83 million of those are international passengers. The airport is a hub for international airlines such as Emirates, FlyDubai, and Emirates SkyCargo, and provides flights to over 220 destinations all over the world.
Other Largest Airports in the World
Apart from these three airports, there are some other airports that have made a mark in the list of the world’s largest airports. The following is a list of five additional airports that have had the most passenger traffic in the world:
- Tokyo Haneda Airport – Japan
Tokyo Haneda Airport, located in the city of Tokyo, is the fourth busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic. With over 85 million passengers annually, the airport serves as a hub for Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. Tokyo Haneda is also the primary hub for Skymark Airlines, Ibex Airlines, and Fuji Dream Airlines.
- Los Angeles International Airport – USA
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the fifth-busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic, with over 84 million passengers annually.LAX is a hub for many airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines, and serves over 80 domestic and international destinations. The airport is the largest and busiest on the west coast and is located just sixteen miles from downtown Los Angeles.
- O’Hare International Airport – USA
O’Hare International Airport, located in Chicago, Illinois, is the sixth-largest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers. The airport serves about 79 million passengers each year and is a hub for United Airlines and American Airlines. O’Hare is also a major hub for FedEx Express, Allied Pilots Association, and UTi Worldwide.
- Hong Kong International Airport – China
Hong Kong International Airport is the seventh-busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers, serving over 68 million passengers each year. The airport is located in the city of Hong Kong, and is a hub for Cathay Pacific and provides flights to nearly 190 cities in more than 90 countries. Additionally, the airport is efficient and well-connected, thanks to its high-speed rail and transit network.
- London Heathrow Airport – UK
London’s Heathrow Airport is the eighth-largest airport in the world in terms of various passenger numbers. The airport serves over 67 million passengers annually and is a major hub for British Airways as well as other airlines, such as Virgin Atlantic Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways. Heathrow Airport serves more than 180 destinations in 90 countries worldwide.
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport – China
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the ninth-busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers. The airport serves nearly 66 million passengers annually, and it is one of the main hubs for Air China, Shanghai Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines. With more than 180 destinations, the airport is well connected and offers both domestic and international flights.
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport – France
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is the tenth-largest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers and serves over 62 million passengers annually. The airport is located in the city of Paris and serves as a hub for Air France and is also a hub for EasyJet, Transavia, and Vueling. The airport has three terminals, which all offer flights to more than 300 destinations in over 160 countries.
Airports are an important part of the transportation sector and many countries rely heavily on them for both domestic and international travel. This list of the world’s largest airports, in terms of passenger and cargo traffic, demonstrates the importance of these airports in our lives and how they are essential for us to get from point A to point B safely and quickly.
