The world's busiest airports by passenger traffic are measured by total passengers provided by the Airports Council International, defined as passengers enplaned plus passengers deplaned plus direct-transit passengers. The world's busiest airport is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, which has been the world's busiest airport every year since 1998 with the exception of 2020, when its passenger traffic dipped for a year due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] Atlanta regained the top position in 2021, [2] [3] and has held it since. Alternatively, London has the world's busiest city airport system by passenger count.
As of 2023, the United States has the most airports in the top 50 list, with 16, including five of the top 10. Four other countries have at least two airports in the top 50: China has 10, while India, Spain, and the United Kingdom each have two. [4] In terms of regions, North America has 18 airports in the top 50, followed by East Asia with 12, Europe with eight, Southeast Asia with six, West Asia with three, South Asia with two, and South America with one.
Source: 2023 report from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey [4]
Source: 2022 report from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey [5]
Source: 2021 report from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey [3]
Source: 2020 report from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. [6]
Figures as reported by airports are as follows: [7] [8]
Figures as reported by airports are as follows: [9] [10]
Airports Council International's full-year figures are as follows: [11] [12] [13]
Airports Council International's full-year figures are as follows: [14]
John F. Kennedy International Airport is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. JFK Airport is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system, the sixth-busiest airport in the United States, and the busiest international commercial airport in North America. The airport, which covers 5,200 acres (2,104 ha), is the largest in the New York metropolitan area. Over 90 airlines operate from Kennedy Airport, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.
Atatürk Airport is an airport currently in use for private jets. It used to be the primary international airport of Istanbul and the hub of Turkish Airlines until it was closed to commercial passenger flights on 6 April 2019. From that point, all passenger flights were transferred to the new Istanbul Airport.
Hong Kong International Airport is an international airport on the island of Chek Lap Kok in western Hong Kong. The airport is also referred to as Chek Lap Kok International Airport or Chek Lap Kok Airport, to distinguish it from its predecessor, the former Kai Tak Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. The airport straddles the boundary between the cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Located approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan, it is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. It is jointly owned by the two cities, and the airport itself is leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system behind John F. Kennedy International Airport and ahead of LaGuardia Airport.
A border checkpoint is a location on an international border where travelers or goods are inspected and allowed passage through. Authorization often is required to enter a country through its borders. Access-controlled borders often have a limited number of checkpoints where they can be crossed without legal sanctions. Arrangements or treaties may be formed to allow or mandate less restrained crossings. Land border checkpoints can be contrasted with the customs and immigration facilities at seaports, international airports, and other ports of entry.
Airports Council International (ACI) is an organization of airport authorities, informing members of industry practices and airport standards. Established in 1991, its headquarters are based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and its members operate more than 2000 airports.
This list of busiest airports by continent includes the busiest airports on every continent except Antarctica and Oceania.