Delhi airport among top 10 busiest in the world with 72.2 million flyers. Full list

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has secured the 10th position with a passenger traffic of 72.2 million flyers.

The Airports Council International (ACI) has released a report indicating a remarkable surge in global air travel post the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, a staggering 8.5 billion passengers took to the skies worldwide, marking a significant 27.2% increase from the previous year.

This surge in numbers suggests a swift rebound for the aviation industry, with the world nearing pre-pandemic levels of travel activity. In the top 10 busiest airports of the world, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has secured the 10th position globally with a passenger traffic of 72.2 million flyers.

From the top 10 rankings for total passenger traffic, five airports are in the US.

Here are the busiest airports of the world:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Topping the list of the world's busiest airports is the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, reaffirming its status as the unrivalled leader in air traffic. Despite experiencing a 12% surge in passenger numbers, the Atlanta Airport still lags 5% behind 2019 levels.

Dubai International Airport
Meanwhile, the Dubai International Airport has ascended to the second spot for total passenger traffic, surpassing its previous rankings by a significant margin. With an impressive lead in international passenger volume, Dubai's has a 31.7 percent increase in volume of passengers as compared to 2022.

Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport
The Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport ranks at 3, slightly behind DXB in terms of volume byt stands out for its ambitious sustainability initiatives. Securing a substantial federal grant, the airport aims to pioneer eco-friendly practices with the construction of a zero-carbon electrical plant, paving the way for a greener future in air travel.

Heathrow Airport
London's Heathrow Airport continues to serve as a vital gateway to the UK capital, accommodating millions of passengers annually across its four sprawling terminals.

Tokyo Haneda International Airport
Similarly, Tokyo Haneda International Airport has emerged as the most improved airport, witnessing a remarkable 55% increase in passenger numbers and clinching the fifth spot on the global rankings. Last year, the airport was ranked 16 on the list and saw a 55 percent increase of passenger volumes as compared to last year.

Denver International Airport, Istanbul Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport round out the top ten, each playing a pivotal role in facilitating seamless air travel experiences for millions of passengers worldwide. Chicago’s O’Hare had 73.8 million flyers, ranking at 9, right above Delhi’s IGI Airport.

The top 10 airports represent close to 10% of global traffic and facilitated the travel of 806 million travellers last year.