The world’s busiest passenger airport is … | CNN

<strong>THE WORLD'S BUSIEST AIRPORTS: </strong>While airline passengers might wish for slightly less crowded airports, cities love to brag about their booming airports and the impact of flight on the local economy. One of the most popular in the world is Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport, which was the 10th busiest in the world last year, with nearly 66 million passengers. That's according to preliminary 2016 passenger data from Airports Council International.

THE WORLD'S BUSIEST AIRPORTS: While airline passengers might wish for slightly less crowded airports, cities love to brag about their booming airports and the impact of flight on the local economy. One of the most popular in the world is Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport, which was the 10th busiest in the world last year, with nearly 66 million passengers. That's according to preliminary 2016 passenger data from Airports Council International.

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<strong>9. Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China: </strong>With more than 66 million passengers in 2016, 10% growth from the previous year, Pudong broke into the top 10 list and is the second Chinese airport ranked here. (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in the US state of Texas dropped from ninth to 11th place.)

9. Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China: With more than 66 million passengers in 2016, 10% growth from the previous year, Pudong broke into the top 10 list and is the second Chinese airport ranked here. (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in the US state of Texas dropped from ninth to 11th place.)

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<strong>8. Hong Kong International Airport, China: </strong>Hong Kong held onto eighth place last year, with more than 70 million passengers, up 3% compared to 2015. <br />

8. Hong Kong International Airport, China: Hong Kong held onto eighth place last year, with more than 70 million passengers, up 3% compared to 2015.

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<strong>7. London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom:</strong> Heathrow's passenger traffic grew just 1% to more than 75 million passengers, which caused a drop from sixth to seventh place last year.

7. London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom: Heathrow's passenger traffic grew just 1% to more than 75 million passengers, which caused a drop from sixth to seventh place last year.

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<strong>6. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, United States: </strong>Chicago's larger airport had more than 78 million passengers in 2016, growth of nearly 2%. It wasn't enough: The airport dropped from fourth to sixth place last year.

6. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, United States: Chicago's larger airport had more than 78 million passengers in 2016, growth of nearly 2%. It wasn't enough: The airport dropped from fourth to sixth place last year.

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<strong>5. Tokyo's Haneda International Airport, Japan:</strong> More than 79 million passengers last year, nearly 6% up from 2015, kept Haneda in fifth place.

5. Tokyo's Haneda International Airport, Japan: More than 79 million passengers last year, nearly 6% up from 2015, kept Haneda in fifth place.

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<strong>4. Los Angeles International Airport, United States:</strong> Southern California's most popular airport flew nearly 81 million passengers last year, 8% more than in 2015. That helped LAX jump from seventh to fourth place in 2016.

4. Los Angeles International Airport, United States: Southern California's most popular airport flew nearly 81 million passengers last year, 8% more than in 2015. That helped LAX jump from seventh to fourth place in 2016.

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<strong>3. Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates: </strong>The busiest passenger airport in the Middle East, Dubai hosted more than 83 million passengers in 2016, up more than 7% over 2015.

3. Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates: The busiest passenger airport in the Middle East, Dubai hosted more than 83 million passengers in 2016, up more than 7% over 2015.

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<strong>2. Beijing Capital International Airport, China.</strong> With more than 94 million passengers in 2016, up 5% over 2015, Beijing continues to nip at the heels of the No. 1 airport.

2. Beijing Capital International Airport, China. With more than 94 million passengers in 2016, up 5% over 2015, Beijing continues to nip at the heels of the No. 1 airport.

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<strong>And the winner is: </strong>Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in the US state of Georgia, was the busiest passenger airport in the world in 2016. It hosted more than 104 million passengers last year, up nearly 3% over 2015.

And the winner is: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in the US state of Georgia, was the busiest passenger airport in the world in 2016. It hosted more than 104 million passengers last year, up nearly 3% over 2015.

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World's busiest passenger airports

Story highlights

A Southern city retains its title as the world's busiest passenger airport

A second Chinese airport breaks into the top 10 rankings, displacing a US airport

CNN —

More than 104 million passengers flew through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2016, making it the busiest passenger airport in the world for the 19th year in a row, according to Airports Council International’s preliminary passenger data for 2016.

Atlanta, which is a major port of entry into North America and connecting hub for many US domestic flights, saw an increase in passengers of 2.6% last year compared to 2015, according to ACI. Atlanta is also within a two-hour flight of 80% of the United States population.

The passenger numbers – which include domestic and international travel – will be included in ACI’s overall preliminary report, which will be released in April. A final report will be published in June.

Atlanta continues to dominate the passenger market because of its location as a major connecting hub and port of entry into North America. It’s within a two-hour flight of 80% of the United States population of more than 300 million people.

Beijing Capital International Airport came in second place again with more than 94 million passengers, a 5% increase over 2016.

Dubai International Airport, in the United Arab Emirates, also retained third place. It flew more than 83 million passengers in 2016 – up more than 7% over 2015.

Los Angeles International Airport jumped from seventh to fourth place, with 8% growth translating to nearly 81 million passengers.

China had more good news, with Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport entering the top 10 in ninth place, with more than 66 million passengers and a growth rate of 10% over 2015. It came in 13th place in 2015.

That pushed Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, with its more than 65 million passengers and essentially flat growth, to 11th place.

Overall, 2018 aircraft movements totaled 99.9 million, a 3.1% increase.