Ranking of the world's busiest airports for 2023
In 2023, the title of the world's busiest airport once again belongs to Atlanta, maintaining its position since 1998, with the exception of 2020 when Guangzhou-Baiyun Airport briefly took over due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta handled an impressive 61.2 million passengers throughout the year, marking a 12% increase from 2022 but a 3% decline from the aviation industry's record year in 2019.
The Dubai International Airport secures the second spot, offering 56.5 million seats, reflecting a 25% decrease from the previous year. Tokyo's Haneda Airport claims the third position, experiencing a 26% growth compared to the previous year and providing 52.7 million seats.
In Europe, London Heathrow retains its status as the busiest airport, accommodating 50 million seats in traffic, signifying a 23% increase from 2022. Istanbul's new mega-airport takes the second spot, while Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport secures the third position with 40.3 million seats in flights to and from France.
The total capacity of the top ten airports exceeded 560 million seats, each surpassing its numbers from the previous year. The most significant growth, a staggering 17%, was observed at Denver International Airport. OAG compiles the ranking based on the combined capacity of all airlines operating at a given airport, encompassing both domestic and international flights.