In 2023, the world’s busiest airports saw a significant increase in passenger numbers, nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels. The Airports Council International (ACI) published preliminary data showing this growth, with 2,600 airports worldwide included in their research. Despite challenging economic conditions globally, there was a noticeable increase in the desire for travel.
One of the key trends from the data was the growing travel to airports in Asia and the Middle East. Dubai International Airport moved up to the second busiest airport globally. Airports in India, Japan, and Turkey also saw significant growth in passenger numbers, making it into the top 10 list. The United States once again secured the top spot as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its position as the busiest airport in the world.
The increase in air travel shows a recovery to 93.8% of levels in 2019 before the world shut down due to COVID-19 pandemic. This is an indication that people are feeling more comfortable traveling again and that global travel trends are returning to normalcy.