Global Travelers Return, Elevating Another Airport to Second Busiest Spot

Globe-trotters are once again traveling in large numbers, leading to a rise in the rankings of several international airports on the list of the busiest airports worldwide.

At the top of the list, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport remains the number one airport for passenger volume in 2023. This airport has held the top spot for over two decades, with the exception of the pandemic-impacted year of 2020.

For the first time ever, Dubai has secured the No. 2 spot in the rankings, as reported by Airports Council International's preliminary rankings for 2023 released on Monday.

According to Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director general of ACI World, Dubai served approximately 87 million passengers in 2023. This marks a significant 31% increase from the previous year, which is 1% higher than the numbers recorded in 2019. Additionally, Dubai connected 262 destinations across 104 countries, serving 102 international carriers.

The airport's rise from No. 5 in 2022 shows a significant growth trend in the aviation industry. According to de Oliveira, there is expected industry expansion in emerging and developing economies in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, surpassing the growth rate of advanced economies in the upcoming decades.

However, Atlanta doesn't need to be too concerned at the moment. With 104.7 million passengers in 2023, Dubai is not yet close to catching up with Atlanta's numbers.

Dubai had its highest-ever appearance on the busiest airports list in 2023.

Dubai had its highest-ever appearance on the busiest airports list in 2023.

ACI expects Atlanta to serve about 110 million passengers in 2024, bringing the airport back to its pre-pandemic 2019 passenger levels. This figure is currently about 5% lower than ATL’s pre-pandemic total.

In 2023, passenger traffic globally increased by 27% compared to 2022, almost reaching 94% of the levels seen in 2019. Domestic travel showed a quicker recovery from the pandemic, growing by 20% from 2022 and reaching nearly 97% of 2019 levels.

The United States, home to the world's largest domestic market, had four additional airports in the top 10 in 2023. These airports, including Dallas/Fort Worth (No. 3), Denver (No. 6), Los Angeles (No. 8), and Chicago O'Hare (No. 9), all had significant shares of domestic passengers.

International travel has played a key role in driving the recovery. In 2023, the international market was the driving force behind the recovery, experiencing a growth of approximately 37% and reaching around 90% of the 2019 figures. Dubai, being the second busiest airport in terms of overall traffic, holds the top spot globally for international passengers. Moreover, Dubai has transformed into a sought-after destination in its own right.

London Heathrow, a major international airport, moved up the ranks from No. 8 in 2022 to No. 4 last year. Tokyo Haneda in Japan experienced the biggest jump, climbing from No. 16 to No. 5, mainly due to Japan's reopening. This positive trend suggests that passenger numbers in Asia are gradually recovering, according to de Oliveira.

Tokyo International Airport, commonly known as Haneda Airport, leapt up from No. 16 in 2022 to No. 5 in 2023.

Tokyo International Airport, commonly known as Haneda Airport, leapt up from No. 16 in 2022 to No. 5 in 2023.

Issei Kato/Reuters

Istanbul’s airport maintained its position at No. 7, while Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi slipped from No. 9 in 2022 to No. 10 last year. India, with its vast population and expanding aviation network, showcases the industry's growth in various regions around the globe.

According to de Oliveira, the United States has a well-established system of connectivity among small, medium, and large airports, which is not as prevalent in many other parts of the world.

India is experiencing rapid growth in the aviation industry, with Air India and IndiGo purchasing hundreds of aircraft and the government making investments in over 140 airports in the country.

According to ACI's preliminary data, the global total number of passengers is expected to reach close to 8.5 billion by 2023.

Smoothing out rough air

The outlook for global aviation growth is looking very positive. According to de Oliveira, even though the industry lost 20 years of development in 2020, the recovery is happening quickly.

In 2023, the system is handling surging demand better than during the earlier pandemic rebound. However, there are still some pressure points, such as a shortage of US air traffic controllers.

Additionally, there is a high demand for new, more efficient aircraft to lower fuel costs and improve sustainability.

In addition to recent production slowdowns due to problems with Boeing planes, there have been supply chain delays causing a backlog of orders. Although supply chain issues have gotten better, the backlog remains significant, according to de Oliveira.

Aircraft delivery delays could impact growth if airlines struggle to meet demand. However, airlines may choose to postpone retiring older, less efficient planes in order to keep up with the high demand.

De Oliveira emphasized the significance of preparing for future challenges in light of the pandemic. ACI is collaborating with member airports to enhance their resilience, focusing on the well-being of passengers. If the ecosystem does not function effectively, it is the passengers who ultimately experience the impact.

World’s top 10 busiest airports for passenger traffic in 2023

1.  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Georgia (ATL):  104.7 million passengers; up 11.7% from 2022

2.  Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB):  87 million passengers; up 31.7% from 2022

3.  Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (DFW): 81.8 million passengers; up 11.4% from 2022

4.  London Heathrow, United Kingdom (LHR): 79.2 million passengers; up 28.5% from 2022

5.  Tokyo Haneda, Japan (HND): 78.7 million passengers; up 55.1% from 2022

6.  Denver, Colorado (DEN): 77.8 million passengers; up 12.3% from 2022

7.  Istanbul, Turkey (IST): 76 million passengers; up 18.3% from 2022

8.  Los Angeles, California (LAX): 75.1 million passengers; up 13.8% from 2022

9.  Chicago O’Hare, Illinois (ORD): 73.9 million passengers; up 8.1% from 2022

10.Delhi, India (DEL): 72.2 million passengers; up 21.4% from 2022

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the resurgence of the aviation industry, with international travel leading the recovery. The rise of Dubai's airport to the second spot is a testament to the growing importance of the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions in global aviation. It also underscores the resilience of the industry, which has quickly rebounded from the pandemic's impact.

However, the article also raises concerns about potential challenges, such as the shortage of air traffic controllers and the backlog of aircraft orders. These issues could hinder the industry's growth if not addressed adequately. It is crucial for stakeholders to collaborate and invest in infrastructure and workforce development to ensure the smooth operation of the aviation ecosystem and meet the growing demand for air travel.