The post-pandemic era has witnessed a reshuffling of rankings among the world’s busiest airports for outbound international passenger traffic. ForwardKeys, the renowned travel analytics firm, has recently unveiled its report, “The Busiest Airports of the World,” providing fascinating insights into the evolving global aviation landscape.
Top 20 busiest airports
- Dubai Airport (DXB)
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
- Changi International Airport (SIN)
- Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Hamad International Airport (DOH)
- Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
- Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FC)
- Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
The report highlights significant shifts in European airports, with Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) and Antalya (AYT) airports gaining prominence due to the enduring appeal of “sun and beach” destinations in Turkey. Travellers seeking affordability and the emergence of Istanbul as a global hub have driven this surge.
Berlin Brandenburg (BER) made a noteworthy debut among the top 50 airports for international departures, replacing Berlin’s Schonefeld and Tegel airports, which closed in 2020. This development underscores Germany’s commitment to maintaining its pivotal role in European travel.
Paris Orly (ORY) demonstrated remarkable growth, climbing 13 places compared to its pre-pandemic ranking in 2019, thanks in part to the expansion of Terminal 3 in April 2019.
Malaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) secured a coveted spot in the top 50 airports, boosted by the establishment of EasyJet’s new seasonal base in 2021 and the introduction of new routes connecting to the US and the Middle East.
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, airports such as Cairo International (CAI) and Jeddah (JED) achieved significant advancements, ascending by 26 and 16 places, respectively. These gains highlight the region’s growing importance for business travel and long-haul transit, as well as the ongoing efforts of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to diversify their economies through tourism promotion.
Marina Giuliano, VP of Brands, Retail, and Media at ForwardKeys, emphasises that these shifts in airport rankings signify more than a mere travel recovery; they signify a transformation in travel patterns. Emerging trends present fresh business opportunities for retailers and brands in Europe and the Middle East. As travel preferences and profiles continue to evolve, data-driven business intelligence becomes increasingly essential for expansion plans.
