Countries With The Most Airports In The World

With over 100,000 flights taking off worldwide each day, airports are constantly buzzing with activity. While some small countries like San Marino and Malta manage with just one airport, larger countries such as the United States and Russia feature thousands, with some cities hosting as many as five airports. Leading the world, the United States has 15,873 airports, followed by Brazil with 4,919 and Australia with 2,180.

Countries Ranked By Amount Of Airports

1. The United States - 15,873 Airports

According to the CIA Factbook, the United States has 15,873 airports, which is over three times the number of the second-highest country. Due to the United States’ land area, which is comparable to that of Europe, many travelers, especially long-distance vacation and business travelers, prefer air travel over other ground transportation methods. In fact, an estimated 90% of Americans have flown at some point in their lives, making air travel a common and widespread mode of transportation across the country. A little over 5,000 of these airports are public, while the rest are private. The busiest airport in the country and in the world is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, welcoming nearly 105,000,000 passengers in 2023.

2. Brazil - 4,919 Airports

Brazil ranks second in the world in terms of the number of airports, with a total of 4,919. Most of these airports are private, with just under 500 classified as public. Similar to the United States, Brazil’s massive land area is one of the key reasons for its high number of airports. It is the fifth largest country in the world based on total area, spanning 8,515,770 square kilometers (3,287,957 square miles). The country’s busiest airport is Sao Paulo International Airport in Guarulhos, serving around 41,3 million passengers in 2023 and receiving roughly 275,000 total takeoffs and landings.

3. Australia - 2,180 Airports

Australia has just under half as many airports as Brazil, totaling 2,180. It is the sixth largest country in the world based on total land area, covering 7,741,220 square kilometers (2,988,901 square miles). Driving from the southwestern coast, Perth, to the eastern coast, Brisbane, takes around 46 hours nonstop in the car, emphasizing the importance of air travel. As of 2023, Sydney Airport was the busiest in the country, receiving around 23.33 million passengers, closely trailed by Melbourne’s, which received 22.49 million.

4. Mexico - 1,485 Airports

Mexico ranks fourth in terms of countries with the most airports, having around 1,485. Between its large land area and tourism, contributing nearly 9% of its GDP, air travel plays a crucial role in Mexico's infrastructure. As of 2023, Mexico City International Airport was the country's busiest, handling approximately 48.38 million passengers. Cancun Airport followed fairly closely, with around 32.75 million. Although Mexico is one of the world’s leaders in airports, only about 30% of Mexican citizens have flown on a plane at some point in their lives.

5. Canada - 1,425 Airports

Canada has just 60 fewer airports than Mexico, ranking it fifth in terms of airport numbers. It is the second largest country in the world, with 9,984,670 square kilometers (3,855,102 square miles) of total area, making air travel a necessity for many travelers. However, despite the high number of airports, most air travel is concentrated in just four airports. As of 2023, the four busiest airports in Canada accounted for over 70% of the country’s total passenger traffic. Toronto’s Lester B Pearson International was the busiest as of 2023, receiving 43.7 million passengers.

6. United Kingdom - 1,043 Airports

Despite having a small land area of just 243,610 square kilometers (94,058 square miles), the United Kingdom ranks sixth globally in number of airports, with approximately 1,043. Its relatively large population of about 68 million, combined with its role as a global business and tourism hub, likely explains the high number of airports. In London alone, there are six major international airports as well as various other smaller civil airports. The busiest airport in the country is London Heathrow, receiving 79.18 million passengers in 2023.

7. Russia - 904 Airports

Russia ranks seventh in the world in terms of the number of airports, with approximately 904 countrywide. It is also the biggest country in the world, covering some 17,098,242 square kilometers (6,601,668 square miles), which largely explains its need for high airport numbers. The country’s busiest airport is Sheremetyevo International Airport, about 18 miles north of Moscow, the capital, and served roughly 36.6 million travelers in 2023. Besides Sheremetyevo, Moscow has four other international airports, with the city acting as a major hub for both Russians traveling domestically and European travelers flying to Asia or the Pacific.

8. Germany - 838 Airports

With 838 airports, Germany is the eighth largest holder of airports worldwide. Located in Central Europe, it is a major connecting hub to other European countries, as well as to other continents such as Africa and North America. The busiest airport is Frankfurt International, receiving around 59.36 million passengers in 2023, followed by Munich, with about 37 million. However, in recent years, Germany has seen a decline in flight passenger numbers, as many Germans are choosing trains over planes to reduce their environmental impact. This decline potentially signals a new trend countrywide.

9. Argentina - 756 Airports

With 756 airports, Argentina is the ninth country with the most airports. With a total area of 2,780,400 square kilometers (1,073,518 square miles), Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world, requiring an extensive aviation infrastructure to connect its landmass. The two international airports in Buenos Aires are responsible for the majority of the country’s air traffic, servicing nearly 16 million passengers in 2023 combined. Across its 756 airports, the country saw over 46 million passengers on both domestic and international flights.

10. France - 689 Airports

France, with 689 airports, is the tenth country worldwide with the most airports. In 2023 alone, France received 100 million visitors, making it the most visited country in the world. As a result, it requires elaborate air, rail, and road infrastructure to support its high visitor and tourism numbers. Paris Charles de Gaulle is the busiest airport in the country, receiving 67.42 million visitors in 2023, followed by Paris’s other airport, Paris Orly, which received approximately 32.29 million. Other significant airports in the country include the Nice Airport and Lyon Saint Exupéry.

Final Thoughts

With a record number of people flying, many countries are renovating and expanding their existing airports, as well as constructing new ones to keep up with the growing demand. However, as countries like Germany turn to travel alternatives such as trains, the demand for air travel may decrease in the coming years, particularly as more countries invest in transportation infrastructure like high-speed rails. The future evolution of airport numbers around the world will depend on how these trends develop.

Number of Airports Per Country/Territory