Airports Council International (ACI) World, the airport trade association, has today (April 14) provided a first look at the 2024 rankings of the world’s busiest airports.
This initial data may be modified slightly when the full rankings are confirmed in July 2025, which will be based on detailed information from over 2,700 airports around the world.
ACI World director general Justin Erbacci remarked: “Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world’s busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce and connectivity.”
Air cargo volumes are estimated to have increased by 8.4% year on year in 2024 (and be up by 3.9% versus pre-Covid 2019), to over 124m tonnes.
The increase in cargo volumes handled globally can be attributed in the main to strong e-commerce traffic, maritime shipping disruptions and declines in jet fuel prices, ACI World opined.
Air cargo volumes handled at the world’s top 10 airfreight gateways – which taken together account for nearly 26% (32.3m tonnes) of global volumes handled in 2024 – rose by 9.3% year on year (with a gain of 9.5% vis-à-vis their 2019 results).
Air cargo traffic is thus now even more concentrated amongst the world’s major airfreight gateways.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) retained its top place, followed by Shanghai Pudong International Airport and then express services hub Memphis International Airport.
At 16.9%, Guangzhou in China was the airport to achieve the highest rate of year on year growth, at 16.9%.
Louisville in the US enjoyed the second-highest rate of year on year growth, at 15.6%. HKIA was third with 14.1%.
Memphis was the only top 10 gateway to see its cargo volumes fall compered to 2023, declining by 3.3%.
HKIA holds on to the number one spot
HKIA retained its top billing in the 2024 air freight rankings – and been named the busiest cargo airport in the world for the 14th time since 2010. The airport handled more than 4.9 million tonnes of cargo over the course of the year.
Vivian Cheung, chief executive of operator Airport Authority Hong Kong, said: “This is a great demonstration of our commitment in enhancing our cargo services by striving for innovation and seizing opportunities.
“Alongside the commissioning of the Three-runway System, we are also seeing new cargo handling facilities established at the airport.
“We will continue to work with the air cargo community to leverage the unique advantages at HKIA, strengthen our resilience amid the economic uncertainties and challenges, and reinforce HKIA as the world’s leading aviation hub.’”
The airport has a target to serve 120m passengers and handle 10m tonnes of cargo annually within a decade or so.
