Airline Business has released its 2007 Top 150 Airports, and emerging markets led the way with spectacular growth.
Airport traffic in the United States was relatively slow in 2007 with only a 2.3% increase over 2006. Despite slower growth, American airports dominate the top 25 airports in terms of passenger traffic. 13 American airports appear among the international top 25. Not surprisingly, Hartsfield Atlanta International remains by far the busiest airport in the world, carrying
89,379 passengers, a 5.3% increase over 2006. Chicago O'Hare remains the second busiest despite a 1.1% loss over 2006, but O'Hare is still busier than London Heathrow, the third busiest airport. Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, New York JFK, Las Vegas, Houston, Phoenix, Newark, Orlando, Detroit, and San Francisco round out entries of American airports in the international top 25.
Perhaps more interesting than domestic rankings, emerging markets posted spectacular growth. Middle Eastern passenger volume increased by 15.2% in 2007; African passenger volume was close behind at 14.1%, and Latin American/Caribbean volume was very strong at 10.1%. Dubai International (properly, Matar Dubayy al-Dawli) is now the 27th busiest airport in the world; Johannesburg International appears at 67th; and Cape Town International moves into 148th place with 15.1% growth. As the Vietnamese economy takes its place among other Southeast Asian markets, Tan Son Nhat International in Ho Chi Minh City appeared at 129th place with stunning 21.4% growth. Not surprisingly, numerous Chinese and Indian airports appear on the list and post spectacular growth.
With the fuel cost increases that began in late 2007, the rankings in 2008 promise to be interesting, but despite all barriers countries with strong emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia are sure to continue spectacular growth.
Airline Business's associated web portal Flight Global has premium content for industry insiders, but the site's almost hourly posting of aviation news is fascinating reading for professionals, researchers, or general readers.