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The Airports Council International (ACI) World published the latest edition of the airports with the most passengers and airport traffic data, showing the 20 busiest airports in the world 2023. Foto DBX Airport
The report highlights a significant rebound in the air traffic, with total passenger traffic worldwide reaching almost 8.7 billion in 2023. This increase is attributed to a resurgence in international travel, driven by factors such as the reopening of Asian markets and a growing appetite for travel despite economic uncertainties.
The 20 airports with the most passengers 2023
“Data underscores the enduring strength of demand for air travel”, said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, General Director of ACI World. “International passenger traffic has almost completely recovered from the impact of the pandemic, and regional disparities are disappearing”.
I share with you the most important and outstanding data from this ACI study.
Passenger Traffic
The list of 20 most important airports with the most passengers in the world in what was the 2023 is the following:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2019 | AIRPORT | 2023 | % vs 2022 | % vs 2019 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | ATLANTA, USA (ATL) | 104 653 451 | 11.7 | -5.3 |
| 2 | 5 | 4 | DUBAI, UAE (DXB) | 86 994 365 | 31.7 | 0.7 |
| 3 | 2 | 10 | DALLAS/FORT WORTH, USA (DFW) | 81 755 538 | 11.4 | 8.9 |
| 4 | 8 | 7 | LONDON, UK (LHR) | 79 183 364 | 28.5 | -2.1 |
| 5 | 16 | 5 | TOKYO, JAPAN (HND) | 78 719 302 | 55.1 | -7.9 |
| 6 | 3 | 16 | DENVER, USA (THE) | 77 837 917 | 12.3 | 12.8 |
| 7 | 7 | 28 | ISTANBUL, TURKEY (IS) | 76 027 321 | 18.3 | 45.7 |
| 8 | 6 | 3 | THE ANGELS, USA (LAX) | 75 050 875 | 13.8 | -14.8 |
| 9 | 4 | 6 | CHICAGO, USA (WORDS) | 73 894 226 | 8.1 | -12.7 |
| 10 | 9 | 17 | NEW DELHI, INDIA (OF THE) | 72 214 841 | 21.4 | 5.4 |
| 11 | 10 | 9 | PARIS, FRANCE (CDG) | 67 421 316 | 17.3 | -11.5 |
| 12 | 58 | 11 | GUANGZHOU, CHINA (CAN) | 63 169 169 | 142 | -13.9 |
| 13 | 11 | 20 | NEW YORK, USA (JFK) | 62 464 331 | 13 | -0.1 |
| 14 | 13 | 12 | AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (AMS) | 61 889 586 | 18 | -13.7 |
| 15 | 15 | 22 | MADRID, SPAIN (MAD) | 60 181 604 | 18.9 | -2.5 |
| 16 | 18 | 15 | FRANKFURT, GERMANY (FROM) | 59 355 389 | 21.3 | -15.9 |
| 17 | 36 | 18 | SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE (SIN) | 58 946 000 | 83.1 | -13.7 |
| 18 | 17 | 31 | ORLANDO, USA (MCO) | 57 735 726 | 15.1 | 14.1 |
| 19 | 12 | 30 | LAS VEGAS, USA (THE) | 57 666 456 | 9.4 | 11.6 |
| 20 | 99 | 14 | INCHEON, KOREA (ICN) | 56 235 412 | 213.8 | -21 |
Some additional figures and considerations:
- The final figures indicate that the total number of passengers worldwide in 2023 approaches the 8.700 millions, which represents an increase in 30,5 % with respect to 2022 or a recovery of 94,2 % compared to pre-pandemic results (2019).
- The total number of confirmed global passengers for 2023 represents a remarkable precision of the 99,88 % compared to the figure predicted in the Annual Global Traffic Forecast 2023-2052 from ACI in February 2024, which highlights the reliability of ACI World statistics and forecasts.
- The 20 major airports, that represent the 16% of world traffic (1.410 million passengers), experienced an increase in 26,4% with respect to 2022 or a recovery of 96,8% with respect to 2019 (1.460 million passengers in 2019).
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Atlanta tops the ranking 2023, followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth.
- After reaching the top of the rankings in 2020, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport lowered to position 58 on 2022, but he regained his position 12 on 2023.
- Eight top airports 20 of the ranking are in the United States. Almost all have a significant proportion of domestic passengers (between 70% and the 95% of national traffic).
- The biggest jump in the ranking of 20 Incheon International Airport was the first to register. The airport improved its ranking from position 99 on 2022 to the post 20 on 2023.
Air Cargo
- Air cargo volumes decreased slightly year-over-year (a 1.8%) approximately 115 million tons in 2023, which reflects a decrease in 4.9% in comparison with 2019.
- The 20 main cargo airports, that represent the 42% of global volumes (47,9 millions of tons), experienced a decrease in 3,2% on 2023, but they remained a 1,6% higher than the figures of 2019.
Hong Kong maintained its position as the leading cargo hub, followed by Memphis and Shanghai Pudong.
Aircraft Movements
- Global aircraft movements in 2023 They approached the 96 millions, which represents a gain of 12,6 % Regarding the results of 2022 or a recovery of 92,8 % regarding pre-pandemic results (2019).
- The 20 major airports, that represent close to the 11% of world traffic (10,5 million moves), experienced a profit of 12,2% regarding their results. 2022 or a recovery of 95,3% regarding their results. 2019 (11 millions of movements in 2019).
- Eleven top airports 20 of the ranking are in the United States.
- ATL takes the lead with 776.000 movements, which means a recovery of the 85,8% regarding their results 2019 (904.000 movements in 2019).
- Chicago O'Hare is second after leading ATL in 2018 and 2019, followed by DFW.
- The biggest jump in the ranking of 20 first recorded by PVG. The airport improved its ranking from position 83 on 2022 al 18 on 2023.
ACI World emphasized the crucial role airports play in global connectivity and economic development. The organization remains committed to advocating for airports around the world to ensure their social benefits reach a broader population..
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