Global airport traffic increases by 9%, surpassing 9.5 billion passengers

Global airport passenger traffic rose by 9 per cent in 2024, reaching 9.5 billion passengers, according to preliminary data from the Airports Council International (ACI).

This surge marks a 3.8 per cent increase compared to pre-pandemic figures from 2019, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

The busiest airport worldwide in 2024 was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the US, which handled 108.1 million passengers, a 3.3 per cent rise compared to the previous year. Serving as a hub for Delta Air Lines, Atlanta retained its top spot, including both domestic and international flights. 

Dubai International Airport held onto second place with 92.3 million passengers, a 6.1 per cent increase, while Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport claimed third place with 87.8 million passengers, reflecting a 7.4 per cent growth. Tokyo Haneda Airport saw the largest rise in rankings, jumping to fourth place with 85.9 million passengers, a 9.1 per cent increase. London Heathrow Airport dropped to fifth place, handling 83.9 million passengers, a 5.9 per cent rise compared to 2023. 

Other notable airports in the top 10 include Denver, Istanbul, Chicago, and New Delhi. Shanghai Pudong International Airport saw a remarkable surge, climbing from 21st place in 2023 to 10th place with 76.8 million passengers, marking a 41 per cent increase. The top 10 airports accounted for roughly 9 per cent of global air traffic, which equates to 855 million passengers. These airports recorded an 8.8 per cent increase in traffic compared to 2023 and an 8.4 per cent rise compared to 2019. ACI forecasts that global passenger traffic will grow by 4.8 per cent in 2025, reaching an estimated 9.9 billion passengers by the end of that year.

Air cargo volumes also saw a boost, with a rise of 8.4 per cent in 2024, totaling 124 million tons. This is a 3.9 per cent increase from 2019, with Hong Kong Airport leading the world in cargo handling, processing 4.94 million tons, a 14.1 per cent jump from 2023. Shanghai (3.78 million tons, +9.8 per cent) and Memphis (3.75 million tons, -3.3 per cent) followed closely. Additionally, the number of aircraft takeoffs and landings in 2024 reached about 100 million, an increase of 4.3 per cent over the previous year. However, this figure remains 2.6 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. ACI represents more than 2,180 airports in 170 countries, providing key insights into global aviation trends.

By Naila Huseynova