According to the latest rankings released by the Airports Council International (ACI) World on Monday, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has secured the tenth position among the busiest airports worldwide in 2023.
The IGI Airport’s ranking has seen fluctuations over the years, standing at 9th place in 2022, 13th place in 2021, and 17th place in 2019, prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Data provided by the ACI revealed that the IGI Airport managed a total of 7.22 crore passengers annually. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States retained its top position with 10.46 crore passengers.
Among the top 10 airports for total passenger traffic, five are located in the United States. Tokyo’s Haneda airport notably surged from the 16th position in 2022 to the 5th spot in 2023, marking a significant advancement in the rankings.
The ACI report highlighted that the top 10 airports, collectively representing nearly 10% of global traffic, experienced a 19.8% increase from 2022 or a 0.7% rise from 2019. The global total passenger forecast for 2023 is estimated to be close to 8.5 billion, showcasing an impressive recovery of 93.8% from pre-pandemic levels.
Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of ACI World, attributed the resurgence in global air travel to factors such as China’s reopening and a growing enthusiasm for travel despite prevailing macroeconomic conditions. He remarked on the enduring dominance of US airports in the top ranks, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport maintaining its lead position. Additionally, Dubai International Airport claimed the second rank for the first time, while Istanbul and New Delhi airports demonstrated consistent strength, reflecting significant progress compared to 2019.
The ACI rankings underscore the resilience and adaptability of airports worldwide amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, signaling a promising trajectory for the aviation industry’s recovery and growth.
