Top 15 Airports in May 2021
COVID-19 and the aviation industry that is step-by-step recovering continues to shuffle the top 15 airport ranking. Once again, we took a look at the official ICAO traffic figures in terms of passengers, flights (departures), and freight. Therefore, we’re thrilled to provide you with the most up-to-date airport rankings — based on March 2021 figures. Here’s what’s contained in detail:
- World’s Top 15 Airports based on passenger numbers
- Top 15 Airports by number to flights (departures)
- Top 15 Airports by freight tonnes
Top 15 Airports by Passenger Numbers
Key Takeaways
Guangzhou is the world’s biggest airport by passengers
In March 2021, China’s Guangzhou (CAN) airport wins the label “world’s biggest airport” by passenger numbers. Guangzhou recorded an amazing growth of >100% (1.378 mils. passengers) and a total number of 2.5 million passengers. However, Chengdu, Dallas, and Shenzhen also recorded passenger growth of almost 1 million compared to February 2021.
China and the U.S. dominate
It is amazing to see that 14 out of 15 airports are located either in China or the United States of America. New Delhi, at rank 11th, is the only airport that isn’t located in China or the U.S. So that picture clearly shows the massive dominance of these countries in terms of traffic growth at the moment.
Europe disappeared
When looking at the world’s biggest airports, it is devastating to see that there isn’t a single European airport among the top 15. However, that perfectly reflects the current situation of the continent — which is a few months behind China and the U.S. in terms of COVID-rebound.
Detailed Airport Ranking
| Rank | Airport | Country | Passenger (mil) | Passenger Change (vs. Feb / mil.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (6) | Guangzhou (CAN) | China | 2.535 | +1.378 |
| 2 (2) | Atlanta (ATL) | United States | 2.309 | +0.700 |
| 3 (4) | Chengdu (CTU) | China | 2.280 | +0.970 |
| 4 (5) | Dallas (DFW) | United States | 2.253 | +0.989 |
| 5 (7) | Shenzhen (SZX) | China | 2.05 | +0.969 |
| 6 (3) | Denver (DEN) | United States | 1.959 | +0.562 |
| 7 (-) | Chongqing (CKG) | China | 1.819 | no data |
| 8 (-) | Beijing (PEK) | China | 1.754 | no data |
| 9 (-) | Shanghai (SHA) | China | 1.747 | no data |
| 10 (-) | Shanghai (PVG) | China | 1.741 | no data |
| 11 (1) | New Delhi (DEL) | India | 1.706 | +0.097 |
| 12 (8) | Charlotte (CLT) | United States | 1.613 | +0.554 |
| 13 (-) | Hangzhou (HGH) | China | 1.567 | no data |
| 14 (11) | Orlando (MCO) | United States | 1.564 | +0.570 |
| 15 (12) | Phoenix (PHX) | United States | 1.501 | +0.605 |
[rp4wp]
Top 15 Airports By Flights (Departures)
Key Takeaways
Atlanta Airport (ATL) defeated the first rank and operated the highest number of airports in March 2021. Dallas/Fortworth (DFW) recorded an outstanding increase of almost 8,500 additional flights compared to February 2021.
China and the United States dominate again.
Unsurprisingly, Chinese and U.S. airports dominate this ranking too. However, the U.S. perform better and conquer the first five positions. Moreover, 9 out of 15 airports are located in the United States, whereas “only” 6 are located in China.
Detailed Airport Ranking
| Rank | Airport | Country | Departures | Departures Change (vs. FEB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (1) | Atlanta (ATL) | United States | 29,273 | +6,504 |
| 2 (3) | Dallas (DFW) | United States | 26,852 | +8,456 |
| 3 (5) | Charlotte (CLT) | United States | 21,665 | +6,240 |
| 4 (4) | Denver (DEN) | United States | 21,024 | +3,905 |
| 5 (2) | Chicago (ORD) | United States | 20,413 | +1,887 |
| 6 (12) | Guangzhou (CAN) | China | 19,889 | +8,031 |
| 7 (-) | Shanghai (PVG) | China | 17,813 | no data |
| 8 (7) | Los Angeles (LAX) | United States | 17,399 | +3,681 |
| 9 (6) | Phoenix (PHX) | United States | 17,182 | +3,298 |
| 10 (10) | Chengdu (CTU) | China | 16,241 | no data |
| 11 (-) | Shenzhen (SZX) | China | 15,884 | no data |
| 12 (8) | New Delhi (DEL) | India | 15,454 | +1,807 |
| 13 (11) | Miami (MIA) | United States | 15,423 | +3,384 |
| 14 (-) | Beijing (PEK) | China | 15,338 | no data |
| 15 (10) | Long Beach (LGB) | United States | 14,877 | +2,606 |
Top 15 Airports By Freight Tonnes
Key Takeaways
As always, the airport ranking by freight looks different compared to passenger numbers and flights. Nevertheless, Memphis surpasses Hong Kong and wins the gold medal as the biggest airport by freight tonnes. Memphis is also the airport with the biggest increase compared to the previous month (+108,000 tonnes).
Contrary to the above rankings, we can find airports from other countries than China and the U.S. in the below list. And it’s the only list that includes airports from Europe (Frankfurt and Paris) and the Middle East (Dubai and Doha).
Detailed Airport Ranking
| Rank | Airport | Country | Freight Tonnes | Freight Change (vs. FEB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2) | Memphis (MEM) | United States | 307,000 | +108,000 |
| 2 (1) | Hong Kong (HKG) | China | 288,967 | +87,000 |
| 3 (3) | Shanghai (PVG) | China | 286,468 | +91,000 |
| 4 (5) | Anchorage (ANC) | United States | 233,383 | +74,000 |
| 5 (4) | Incheon (ICN) | South Korea | 230,647 | +49,000 |
| 6 (8) | Taipei (TPE) | China | 198,862 | +55,000 |
| 7 (7) | Louisville (SDF) | United States | 194,454 | +47,000 |
| 8 (10) | Tokyo (NRT) | Japan | 192,617 | +47,000 |
| 9 (9) | Chicago (ORD) | United States | 187,443 | +47,000 |
| 10 (6) | Doha (DOH) | Qatar | 187,149 | +34,000 |
| 11 (11) | Los Angeles (LAX) | United States | 181,665 | +49,000 |
| 12 (12) | Miami (MIA) | United States | 179,964 | +32,000 |
| 13 (14) | Dubai (DXB) | United Arab Emirates | 173,906 | +39,000 |
| 14 (13) | Frankfurt (FRA) | Germany | 168,086 | +27,000 |
| 15 (15) | Paris (CDG) | France | 147,000 | +18,000 |
What’s Your Opinion?
We’re always happy to get your feedback. Just leave a comment below or get in touch with the author on social media.
