Passenger traffic at the world’s 20 busiest airports grew by 5.2% in 2017. With almost 1.5 billion passengers passing through their terminals in 2017, this group of 20 represents 17% of global passenger traffic. Here are the world’s most-traveled airports in 2017.
1. Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)
Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) has secured top spot again in 2017. With almost 104 million passengers, the airport is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the United States’ population.
2. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the main international airport serving Beijing. The airport’s IATA Airport code, PEK, is based on the city’s former romanized name, Peking.
3. Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the primary international airport serving Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic. It is also the third-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, the sixth-busiest cargo airport in world, the busiest airport for Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 movements, and the busiest airport in the world operating with only two runways. In 2017, DXB handled 88 million passengers, 2.65 million tonnes of cargo and registered 409,493 aircraft movements.
4. Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport (HND)
Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport (HND) was the primary international airport serving Tokyo until 1978; from 1978 to 2010, Haneda handled almost all domestic flights to and from Tokyo as well as “scheduled charter” flights to a small number of major cities in East Asia, while Narita International Airport handled the vast majority of international flights. Haneda handled 84,956,964 passengers in 2017; by passenger throughput, it was the third-busiest airport in Asia and the fourth-busiest in the world.
5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles, California. In 2017, LAX handled 84,557,968 passengers, making it the world’s fifth busiest airport by passenger traffic, and the country’s second busiest overall after Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta. It is the only airport to rank among the top five U.S. airports for both passenger and cargo traffic.
