Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World

Already booked a trip somewhere? Or perhaps you still considering a holiday to get away form the daily grind ? Either way, it might be helpful to get to know the top ten busiest airports in the world (by international passenger traffic) and perhaps, even dodge a few while planning for your next trip!

10. Madrid-Barajas Airport (Madrid, Spain)

Sitting at the tenth spot is the Madrid–Barajas Airport located in Comunidad de Madrid in Spain. Named after Barajas (its adjoining district), the Madrid-Barajas Airport is the key international airport operating in Spain. Dubbed as the busiest and biggest airport in the country, the Madrid-Barajas Airport has taken the tenth place serving 32,449,857!

9. Incheon International Airport (Incheon, South Korea)

Claiming the ninth place is the Incheon International Airport of South Korea, serving a total 34,537,845 passengers! Also known as the largest airport in South Korea, the Incheon International Airport is the primary airport catering the Seoul Area. Over the years, it has gained acknowledgement as the best airport all over the globe, with amenities including spa services, golf course, casino, private rooms for sleeping and resting, indoor gardens, museum and ice skating rink.

Not only has the Incheon International Airport gained the title of the best airport in the world, but the airport authorities also declare that this airport is the fastest, with an average time for arrival and departure of 12 and 19 minutes (compared to a standard of 45 and 60 minutes respectively)!

8. Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand)

Serving 35,009,002 passengers, the Suvarnabhumi Airport has nailed the eighth spot. Dubbed as the sixth busiest in Asia and the busiest in the country, the Suvarnabhumi Airport also holds the one of the world’s largest single structure airport terminals and the world’s tallest control tower!

Considered as one of the key international airports operating in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport has functioned as the gateway of the region and the link for several foreign carriers. The airport was named after ”The Golden Kingdom”, a place believed to be located around the perimetres of south-east Asia.

7. Singapore Changi Airport (Changi East Region, Singapore)

Catering to a whopping 45,429,263 passengers, Singapore’s Changi Airport rightfully deserves the seventh spot!

Singapore Changi Airport (or simply Changi Airport) is the primary airport in the Lion City and considered as the main aviation centre in south-east Asia. It plays home to several airline companies such as Singapore Airlines, Valuair, Scoot, Jetstar Asia Airways and Tiger Airways. Managed and owned by the Changi Airport Group, the airport is also known for assisting Singapore’s economy, providing jobs to over 28,000 people or and raking in $4.5SD billion.

6. Frankfurt Airport (Frankfurt, Germany)

In a tight competition with the fifth place, Frankfurt Airport grabbed the sixth spot catering to 49,477,184 passengers. Operated by Fraport company, Frankfurt Airport is undoubtedly the most hectic airport in the country and placing third in Europe.

Frankfurt is the home of Condor, Flugienst and Lufthansa, a flag carrier of Germany. Since 1936, the airport has undergone several major renovations to improve the airport’s services and facilities. In fact, another terminal is to be opened in order to cater the airport’s passenger forecast of 90 million by 2020.

5. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Holland, Netherlands)

Just a slightly ahead of the Frankfurt Airport, the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol served a massive 49,680,283 passengers! Like the aforementioned airports, the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is also considered as the key international airport in Netherlands. Because of its vast area of 13 square kilometres, it is known as an Airport City.

4. Dubai International Airport (Dubai, UAE)

Basking in the glory of the fourth spot is the Dubai International Airport. Considered as the major international airport of Dubai and the main airline hub in the Middle East, the Dubai International Airport documented a count of 50,192,013 passengers!

Dubai’s International Airport has greatly contributed to its economy, providing approximately 58,000 jobs and indirectly sustains 250,000 jobs in the country, all amounting to a total of $22US billion of the GDP. On forecast, it is estimated that by 2020, the airport will contribute up to 32% of the country’s GDP and sustain over 373,000 jobs!

3. Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong)

Serving a total of 52,749,262 passengers, the Hong Kong International Airport is rightfully sits in the third spot. Like all others on the list, the Hong Kong International airport is also considered as the primary airport of the country and is locally known as the Chek Lap Kok Airport.

Managed by Airport Authority of Hong Kong, HKIA is considered as the key centre for Dragonair, Hong Kong Express Airways, Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines. With its vast operations, HKIA provides livelihood of around 60,000 employees.

2. Paris Charles de Gaulle (Paris, France)

Almost, but not quite at the top, is Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, with a total of 55,674,880 passengers.

It was named after the Free French Forces leader and father of the French Fifth Republic, Charles de Gaulle. Commonly known as Roissy Airport, the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is one of the many important hubs in the world, the largest airport in the country and the second busiest airport in Europe.

1. London Heathrow Airport (London, UK)

Sitting quite far ahead of the 2nd spot, the London’s Heathrow Airport claims the #1 spot, with a total of 64,687,737 passengers. Known to be the busiest airport in the UK and around the world, the London Heathrow Airport is operated and owned by Heathrow Airport Holdings, which also happen to be owners and operators also of 3 other airports in the UK.

 

If your next trip is somewhere near these airports, then better brace yourself for what’s to come!