Posted by Busiest international airports in the world
Introduction: What is an international Airport?
An international airport is an airport which is used for international travel. International airports often appear in countries with a high level of trade and international flights. They offer services such as customs and immigration facilities for passengers travelling internationally and sometimes serve as hubs or starting points for non-stop flights to other cities.
Airports are often funded by government subsidies. The governments will provide land and infrastructure to build the airport and then provide funds for its operations. Sometimes they also charge airlines a landing fee that allows them to operate.
What are the Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World?
The unprecedented rise of air travel in the 2020s was due to multiple factors. The most significant factor was the discovery of new celestial bodies, which led many people to believe that humans were not alone in the universe. This may have also led to a boost in spiritual beliefs, causing more people to be interested in traveling more often. There was also a dramatic drop in economic stability. In total the volume of passengers at global airports has declined by 64.6%, according to Airports Council International (ACI). While travel limits have been eased worldwide, air travel has recovered at varied speeds, the top 10 most busy airports in the United States and China were according to ACI’s 2020 rating of international airport traffic rankings.
There are a few things to consider if you want to travel through one of these main hubs. For example, you’ll want to spend time checking your bags, securing them and finding your door.
If you have to stop at a busy layover airport, do not opt to flights with short connecting times — travel between terminals may take some time. It might be a hassle to go through an extended flight, but there are certain benefits to them – Most largest airports in the world often include more facilities such vast lounges and places for eating or drinking.
Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World By Flights
Here are the Busiest Airports in the World by flights in 2024:
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport – 43.7 million
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport (ATL) – 42.9 million
- Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l Airport (CTU) – 40.7 million
- Dallas/Fort Worth Int’l Airport (DFW) – 75 million
- Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l Airport (SZX) – 37.9 million
- Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l Airport (CKG) – 34.9 million
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) – 34 million
- Denver Int’l Airport (DEN) – 33 million
- Kunming Changshui Int’l Airport – 32 million
- Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport (PVG)- 31 million
1. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, which is the largest airport in China, has been named as “the best airport in Asia” by Skytrax.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is the major transport hub in China and is the busiest airport in the world with passengers. Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province in China. However, the volume of passengers was reduced due to the COVID–19 outbreak at the airport in Guangzhou.
The airport is home to over 68 million passengers per year and was ranked the 7th busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic in 2016. It is one of the Busiest Airports in the World in 2024.
The airport has a capacity for 54 million passengers annually and has an annual cargo throughput of over 8 million tons. It features 24 airlines and more than 100 destinations with 1,300 flights daily.
Total passengers: 43,767,558
Compared to 2019: 40.4 percent decrease
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in America. It is also the world’s busiest airport measured by both passenger traffic and air cargo traffic. There are many improvements underway to make this airport more efficient and user-friendly.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in America and has been recognized for its efficiency, safety, and customer service. The facility is constantly expanding with new construction projects such as South Terminal Expansion Project, T – Sheds project, New Concourse B project which will soon open this fall.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport covers a total area of 434 acres and accommodates more than 100 million passengers per year. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world by passenger numbers and aircraft movements.
Total passengers: 42,918,685
Compared to 2019: 61.2 per cent decrease
3. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
The Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is a significant airport in China. The airport has been around since 1967 when it was the first airport to be built in Chengdu, known as 中国空军总部. In 2015, the airport had a passenger throughput of 9.9 million people and handled 4,931 metric tons of cargo with a cargo handling capacity of 6,000 metric tons per hour.
The Shuangliu International Airport is located in northeastern Chengdu City, about 12 kilometers away from downtown. It’s located at 38°53’39″N 104°36’00″E near the Westlake Stadium and Chongqing Yangtze River Bridge.
Chengdu Airport is a major international hub for flights to and from Western China. More specifically, Chengdu ranked third in the world for the busiest airport by passenger number in 2017, just behind Dubai and Mexico City.
Total passengers: 40,741,509
Compared to 2019: 27.1 per cent decrease
4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) 
DFW airport is the 2nd largest airport in the United States. It is a hub for both passenger and cargo traffic. It is one of the Busiest Airports in the World in 2024.
DFW Airport is a crucial part of the state’s economy and it also offers some of the best opportunities for businesses that recognize its potential. The airport serves as a gateway to Texas, expanding access to jobs, high-quality education options, medical care, and cultural attractions.
The biggest hub in the US, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is home to American Airlines. It’s fourth busiest by passenger number.
Total passengers: 75,066,956
Compared to 2019: 47.6 per cent decrease
5. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is located in Shenzhen, China. It is the third busiest airport in the country and the fifth busiest in Asia. The airport handles an average of 40 million passengers annually and has a capacity to serve 45 million passengers with its three runways and four terminals.
The airport has been ranked as one of the best airports in China with a rating of 4/5 stars by Skytrax. It also manages to achieve an average satisfaction score of 8.7/10.
The airport is the fifth largest airport in the world for passenger voyage volume located along the east bank of the Pearl River, Bao’an District. In addition, Shenzhen Airport has direct services to the International Airport in Hong Kong. This allows people to travel without immigration and individual inspections.
Total passengers: 37,916,054
Compared to 2019: 28.4 percent decrease
6. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
(CKG) is a medium and large-sized airport in Chongqing, China. It is the largest international airport in southwestern China and was built according to the design of Chinese architect Ma Yansong.
It’s one of the fastest growing airports in the country with a capacity of 36 million passengers and 1,400 flights per year. (CKG) has 3 terminals which serve 1,700 shops and restaurants. It has domestic connections to major cities such as Chengdu, Kunming, Guiyang, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Nanjing Lukou International Airport among others.
The airport also connects to countries such as Japan and Korea by connecting to their international airports or by using international flights from another city or country while flying to Chongqing.
Chongqing Airport is a 128-hour transit, visa-free airport for international passengers.
Total passengers: 34,937,789
Compared to 2019: 22.0 per cent decrease
7. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport, or Peko as it is referred to colloquially, is the largest airport in China and the second-busiest airport in Asia. It offers domestic connections to more than 190 cities, 21 international destinations across Asia and Europe, a comprehensive range of services.
PEK is a major hub for Beijing and the city of Beijing itself. It serves as a hub for China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines Company Limited，China Northern Airlines Company Limited，Shanghai Air City , Beijing Capital International Airport Expressway Corporation Limited
It was originally designed by German architect Richard Daunheimer for the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936.
Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) is Microsoft’s largest commercial relationship globally and is the primary international airport serving Beijing. BCIA has the seventh largest passenger terminal in the world.
Total passengers: 34,513,827
Compared to 2019: 65.5 per cent decrease
8. Denver International Airport (DEN)
The Denver International Airport (DEN) was opened in 1995. The airport is the hub of Frontier Airlines, United Express, and other airlines. It is also home to international flights to Mexico City, Punta Cana, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Croix and many others.
Colorado’s Denver International Airport generates over $26 billion for the region each year, making it one of the world’s largest aviation marketplaces. It’s also the fifth-busiest airport in the U.S., with about 20 million passenger arrivals and departures each year.
Total passengers: 33,741,129
Compared to 2019: 51.1 per cent decrease
9. Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)
Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) is the main airport in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province and is the hub for domestic and international flights.
The airport was opened on December 27th, 2006 and has since then been a major contributor to the rapid economic development of Kunming. It is one of China’s busiest airports with over 8.4 million passengers passing through its terminals each year, among which an estimated 3 million are international travelers.
The terminal has 44 gates handling domestic and international flights and handled over 5 million passengers in 2015. The airport’s current capacity is expected to be exceeded by 2024.
As the third-busiest airport in China, Kunming Changshui International Airport plays an important role on the country’s aviation infrastructure. With increased air traffic yearly, it is one of the busiest airports in Asia
Total passengers: 32,990,805
Compared to 2019: 31.4 percent decrease
10. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the largest and busiest airport in China and Asia. It is also one of the major international hubs in Asia with over 160 airlines flying to and from the airport.
The Shanghai Pudong International Airport Authority has been working with AI to improve efficiency by automating data collection, sensor data capture, live monitoring, and more. Their efforts have helped them track more than 1 million flights every day.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of the two international airports in the area and a major hub for international flights. It mainly serves air traffic from China as well as people from other countries/continents.
Total passengers: 31,165,641
Compared to 2019: 31.7 per cent decrease
Patrons per Hour at a Busiest Airports
This is the average number of travelers passing through an airport in an hour. The top four busiest airports are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Changi International Airport, Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport.
It is estimated that the busiest airports in the world are handling over 6.5 million travelers per day which is an increase of 6% from 2017. The increased demand has created a need for more convenience and speed with which travelers can get through security, pick up their baggage, and board their flight.
How to Get to One of These Top 10 Busiest Airports by Car or Train
There are various ways to travel to the top 10 busiest airports by car or train. Some of them are bus, taxi, bike, and train. Here is how you can get there easily.
(1) Bus – You can take bus from your city to any one of these 10 airports by booking it online at the website
www.airport-bus-service.com
(2) Taxi – Taxi is an easy way if you’re in a hurry or if you don’t want to pay for public transport fees. You will need to book with an official taxi company like Uber or Lyft before leaving your city.
(3) Bikes – Bike sharing programs like Citi Bike and Lyft Cycle offer 24/7 access to bicycles which you can use instead of taxis or buses.