Africa missing on list of world's busiest airports in 2024

…as Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson ranks top

Africa’s aviation industry faces significant challenges, as evidenced by the continent’s absence from the list of the world’s busiest airports in 2024.

According to a recent chart by Statista, an online platform that specialises in data gathering and visualisation, no single African airport featured on the list.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport tops the list, serving a staggering 108 million passengers, followed closely by Dubai International Airport with 92.3 million passengers. Other airports in the top tier include:

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Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: 87.8 million passengers
Haneda Airport, Tokyo: 85.9 million passengers
London Heathrow Airport*: 83.9 million passengers
Denver International Airport*: 82.4 million passengers
Istanbul Airport: 80.1 million passengers
Chicago O’Hare International Airport: 80 million passengers

The absence of African airports from this list raises concerns about the continent’s aviation industry. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), several factors contribute to African airports’ struggles, including:

Infrastructure deficits: Inadequate airport infrastructure hinders efficiency and passenger experience.
Inadequate aircraft capacity: Limited aircraft capacity restricts airline growth and competitiveness.
High taxes and charges: Burdensome taxes and fees increase ticket prices, making air travel less accessible.
Limited collaboration: Insufficient cooperation among African countries and airlines restricts growth.
Outdated technology: Airports lag in digitalisation, leading to inefficiencies.

To address these challenges, Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA’s regional vice president, emphasises the need for governments to recognise aviation as a catalyst for economic growth and reduce burdensome taxes.

By investing in infrastructure, promoting private sector participation, and liberalising air transport markets, African airports can work towards becoming more efficient, passenger-friendly, and competitive in the global aviation industry, according to IATA.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.