Airports Council International (ACI) World published the latest World Airport Traffic Dataset, confirming the top 20 busiest airports in the world and revealing airport cargo and aircraft movement rankings for over 2,600 airports across more than 180 countries and territories.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) retained its title as the world's busiest cargo airport in 2022, according to data released by ACI World.

Hong Kong maintains busiest cargo airport rank

The latest report confirms an earlier announcement by ACI showing HKG at the top spot for air cargo volumes globally last year. The airport regained the busiest air freight hub accolade after dropping to second in 2020 due to the wide-ranging impacts of Covid-19.

 [Source: ACI World]

The global trade representative of the world's airport authorities confirmed that HKG remained in the top rank as the world's busiest air cargo hub in 2022 — recording 4.2 million metric tonnes of cargo last year, although down 16.5% year-on-year.

Memphis International Airport (MEM) — home to the FedEx Express global hub — took the second spot with 4 million metric tonnes, also down 9.8%. 

Anchorage Airport (ANC) took the third spot with 3.5 million metric tonnes of cargo, also down 4.3% compared to the year prior — but up in ranking compared to 2021, when it was ranked as the fourth busiest cargo hub.

ACI World said Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) recorded 3.1 million metric tonnes for 2022, declining 21.7% year-on-year — losing its spot to ANC and ending up in 4th  position.

"Global air cargo volumes decreased by 6.7% year-over-year (-2.6% versus 2019) to close to 117 million metric tonnes in 2022," the global trade representative of the world's airport authorities said.

"The decline can be attributed to the ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global trade and supply chains," it added.

Louisville, Cincinnati record big gains

ACI World said air cargo traffic is more concentrated among the main airports, with volumes in the top 20 representing around 42% (49.5 million metric tonnes) of the global volumes.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport — the primary hub of UPS Airlines — took the fifth spot in the ranking of the busiest cargo airports in the world, with 3.1 million metric tonnes, and is among the only two airports which registered growth in cargo volumes last year.

Rounding up the top 10 is South Korea's Icheon (2.9 million metric tonnes), followed by Taipei (2.5 million metric tonnes), Miami International Airport (2.49 million metric tonnes), Los Angeles (2.48 million metric tonnes), and Tokyo NRT (2.39 million metric tonnes). 

MIA entered the top 10 list of busiest cargo airports at number eight in 2022, from the 12th spot in 2021.

"Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport — home to Amazon Air's primary US Hub and DHL Express' Global Superhub for the Americas —witnessed the largest cargo volume growth (+16.8%) amongst the top 20 airports," ACI World said.

It is also the only other airport that reported cargo growth, other than Louisville — and bagged the 17th spot in 2022 from being number 21 in 2021.

Meanwhile, ACI said global aircraft movements were close to 85 million, representing a gain of 14.8% from 2021 results or a recovery of 82.4% from pre-pandemic levels.

It noted that the top 20 airports represent 11.4% of global traffic (9.7 million movements) — and from the top 20 rankings, 13 airports are in the US: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Charlotte NC, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Newark, Seattle and Houston.

 [Source: ACI World]

In terms of passenger results, ACI World said global total passengers surpassed 6.6 billion in 2022, representing an increase of 43.8% from 2021 or a recovery of 72.5% versus pre-pandemic result (2019).

It said that the top 20 airports for global passenger traffic represent 18% of global traffic (1.2 billion passengers) — and welcomed back some of the world's largest airport hubs as international traffic returns.

"From the top 20 rankings, 10 airports are in the US. Almost all have significant domestic passenger shares (between 75%–95%)," the global trade representative of the world's airport authorities added.

ACI World noted that the biggest jump in the top 20 rankings is recorded for Heathrow Airport, leaping from 54th to 8th rank as all travel restrictions were lifted by the UK Government in March 2021 after two years of impediment.

"In the face of cost pressures and tight labour markets ... airports have once more proven their resiliency as reflected in the key findings from the ACI World Airport Traffic Dataset. As always, reliable data remains fundamental to our advocacy and development of timely airport guidance," said  Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director-general at ACI World.

ACI collects airport traffic every year through its global network of airport operator members, investors, and aviation stakeholders.