The world's busiest airports by passenger traffic are measured by total passengers provided by the Airports Council International, defined as passengers enplaned plus passengers deplaned plus direct-transit passengers. The world's busiest airport is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, which has been the world's busiest airport every year since 1998 with the exception of 2020, when its passenger traffic dipped for a year due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta regained the top position in 2021, and has held it since. Alternatively, London has the world's busiest city airport system by passenger count. As of 2023, the United States has the most airports in the top 50 list, with 16, including five of the top 10. Four other countries have at least two airports in the top 50: China has 10, while India, Spain, and the United Kingdom each have two. In terms of regions, North America has 18 airports in the top 50, followed by East Asia with 12, Europe with eight, Southeast Asia with six, West Asia with three, South Asia with two, and South America with one.

2023 statistics

Source: 2023 report from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

2022 statistics

Source: 2022 report from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

2021 statistics

Source: 2021 report from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

2020 statistics

Source: 2020 report from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

2019 statistics

Figures as reported by airports are as follows:

2018 statistics

Figures as reported by airports are as follows:

2017 statistics

Airports Council International's full-year figures are as follows:

2016 statistics

Airports Council International's full-year figures are as follows:

2010–2015

2000–2009