The British Airways Airbus A319 aircraft took off from Heathrow Airport in London on May 17, 2021, showcasing the resumption of international travel. The resurgence of international travel has had a positive impact on airports worldwide, with passenger traffic increasing significantly.
Global airports served 8.5 billion passengers in 2023, a 27% increase from 2022 but still below pre-pandemic levels. This increase in passenger traffic has been a welcome development for airlines with large international networks, although ultra-low-cost U.S. airlines focused on domestic travel have faced challenges.
Dubai International Airport, which ranked as the second busiest airport in 2023, moved up from fifth place in 2022 and fourth place in 2019. Tokyo Haneda International Airport also saw a jump in passenger traffic by 55% last year, moving up to fifth place from 16th place a year earlier.
While domestic U.S. airports have seen significant growth in passenger counts, some have slipped in the rankings compared to the middle of the pandemic. Denver International Airport, a major hub for United Airlines, served nearly 78 million people in 2023, a 12% increase from
