With over 100,000 flights taking off each day globally, around four and a half billion passengers use air travel each year according to Statista.
While some small countries like Malta manage with just one, six countries are on the other end of the scale with over a thousand airports.
However, one country has such a high traffic rate it’s leagues above the rest, with a staggering 15,873 airports:The United States.
While the majority of the airports are private, commercial aviation drives 5% of US GDP, the equivalent of a huge $1.37 trillion in 2023.
Its airlines operate more than 26,000 flights a day carrying 2.6 million passengers, and it also transports a huge 61,000 tons of cargo to more than 220 countries.
Atlanta has consistently held the top spot for having the busiest airport in the world. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport handled approximately 104.7 million passengers last year, according to data by the Federal Aviation Administration.
New York has the most commercial airports of any US city, with three major hubs – JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark – located near the city, as well as several smaller airports on the outskirts.
Unsurprisingly due to its land size streching almost the length of South America, Brazil follows the United States with 4,919 airports.
Sao Paolo/Guarulhos International Airport serves as its international gateway with many connecting flights passing through, which makes it the country’s busiest airport.
Australia comes in third with nearly half the number of second place at 2,180. The country’s geographic layout, with vast stretches of land between cities, means it requires many domestic routes to connect the major cities and rural communities.
With 1,485 airports, Mexico ranks fourth in terms of airport numbers. Mexico’s airport network includes large international hubs such as Mexico City International.
Canada follows closely behind with 1,425 airports. The country’s vast land area and relatively low population density make air travel an essential mode of transport, especially for accessing remote northern areas where road infrastructure may be limited.
The countries with the most airports
- United States – 15,873 airports
- Brazil – 4,919 airports
- Australia – 2,180 airports
- Mexico – 1,485 airports
- Canada – 1,425 airports
- United Kingdom – 1,043 airports
- Russia – 904 airports
- Germany – 838 airports
- Argentina – 756 airports
- France – 689 airports