Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Maintains No. 1 Spot in 2024 with 62.7 Million Seats, Up 2 Per Cent Year Over Year

Published on January 15, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

According to OAG’s latest report, the 10 busiest global airports in 2024 all recorded year-over-year capacity increases, signaling continued recovery and growth in the aviation sector. The rankings feature four airports in the United States, three in Asia, two in Europe, and one in the Middle East, reflecting the geographic diversity of air travel hubs.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Leads the Pack

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport maintained its position as the busiest airport worldwide, with over 62.7 million available seats in 2024. This marked a 2% year-over-year increase but remained 1% below its pre-pandemic capacity levels in 2019.

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Notable Rankings and Shifts

The next five busiest airports retained their 2023 rankings, showcasing stable performance amid increasing capacity. However, notable shifts occurred further down the list:\n\n- Istanbul Airport: Dropped to eighth place with 48.5 million seats, down from seventh in 2023.\n- Chicago O’Hare International Airport: Ranked 10th with nearly 47 million seats, slipping from ninth last year. O’Hare also experienced a 7% capacity decline compared to 2019, making it one of only two top 10 airports to fall short of pre-pandemic levels.

Global Distribution

The report highlights a shift in geographic representation among the busiest airports. With four U.S. airports in the top 10 (down from five in 2023), Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have strengthened their foothold in the rankings. This trend underscores the growing importance of international hubs outside the U.S. in meeting rising global travel demand.

Aviation Recovery and Growth

The steady year-over-year capacity growth across all top 10 airports demonstrates the aviation sector’s resilience and recovery. These airports continue to adapt to shifting travel trends, bolstered by increased airline capacity and evolving passenger demands.

As air travel expands, the rankings highlight the critical role of strategic hubs in facilitating global connectivity and supporting the travel industry’s ongoing resurgence.

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