Top 10 airports

Despite this year's economic downturn, growth of airport passenger throughput has remained robust. Airport Middle East profiles the world's busiest airports.

1. Atlanta, Georgia

Passengers: 53,038,940

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located 10 miles from downtown Atlanta and covers a total area of 4700 acres. The terminal complex measures 130 acres or 5.8 million square feet and houses six concourses. Within these concourses are 151 domestic and 28 international gates.

Passengers have access to 227 concession outlets throughout the airport, including 89 food and beverage outlets, 85 retail and convenience outlets and 55 staffed service outlets covering approximately 209,000 square feet. Hartsfield-Jackson is in the process of adding some 75 new outlets, including spas, wine bars and retailers.

Thirty-two passenger airlines serve the airport, and it is estimated that Hartsfield-Jackson has a direct and indirect economic impact of more than US$23.5 billion for the local and regional economy.

Benjamin DeCosta, aviation general manager for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport says the airport is proud to be the world's busiest airport. "Hartsfield-Jackson has long served as a valuable hub connecting various cities and countries around the globe," says DeCosta. "To keep pace with rapid growth, both in the metro Atlanta area and regionally, the airport continues to expand capacity and improve efficiency through a $6 billion capital improvement programme."

One element of the programme has already yielded results. "Our new fifth runway has provided increased capacity that is helping airlines save millions in operating expenses," explains DeCosta. "As our capital improvement programme continues, travellers will have access to a new 12-gate international terminal and facilities. I am confident that this development strategy will help the airport maintain its role as a potent economic engine."

Hartsfield-Jackson airport has maintained its title as the world's busiest airport in passenger volume for some 10 years.

2. Chicago, Illinois

Passengers: 42,260,839

Chicago O'Hare International Airport was the USA's busiest airport before Atlanta took over the mantle.

Located 20 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, O'Hare has four terminals, around 180 gates and six runways, covering a total area of over 7000 acres. It handles around one million flights annually.

Recent upgrades have included major reconstruction work at terminals 2 and 3 and its international terminal alone operates over 30 airlines, serving more than 60 destinations. Fifteen airline lounges offer business and fitness facilities, a swimming pool and the on-site Hilton hotel.

An additional runway and air traffic control tower was commissioned this year in an effort to resolve its official ranking as the least punctual airport in the US, based on the percentage of delayed flights. The modernisation plan is a US$6.6 billion project and also extends to expansion and construction of a new terminal, which is expected to vastly increase passenger throughput.

Rosemarie Andolino, executive director of the modernisation programme, says the project will move the airport away from being the nation's most delayed facility. "The modernisation programme will reduce delays at the airport by 79%. Air passengers and airlines will save a combined $750 million each year because of reduced delays. The benefits of modernising O'Hare International far outweigh the costs."

The airport currently employs around 50,000 people and generates some $40 billion for the economy and surrounding region.

3. London Heathrow, UK

Passengers: 38,966,862

Heathrow is the UK's only hub airport and is located about 15 miles from central London. This year has been a year of highs and lows for BAA, the airport's operator. The opening of Terminal 5 in March 2008 hit headlines for all the wrong reasons as dozens of flights at the billion dollar terminal were cancelled and the baggage handling system broke down. Since its opening, the situation has improved and almost all British Airways' long-haul flights have moved to the terminal.

In its entirety, Heathrow has five terminals, two runways and around 90 airlines serving 180 destinations. Its most popular international destination is New York.

Heathrow employs 70,000 people and makes an economic contribution of around US$10 billion. BAA believes this economic contribution can be increased by building a third runway, but the UK government has been urged to rule against the move due to a fall in flights this year.

A third runway would increase Heathrow's capacity from 480,000 flights a year to more than 700,000 and BAA insists that long-term passenger numbers will rise.

Over the next few years, BAA proposes to refurbish or rebuild almost the entire airport. This includes developing a world-leading air and rail transport hub at Heathrow. "Our vision is simple; it is one where, in the next decade, a three-runway Heathrow airport strengthens the UK's connections with global markets, particularly those in China and India," explains Stuart Condie, BAA's director of planning and surface access. "Using a state-of-the-art high-speed rail network will spread the obvious and significant economic benefits across the UK. It is an ambitious plan, but it is achievable and sustainable."

Over the next 10 years, BAA proposes to invest billions into improving and expanding Heathrow airport. Heathrow East is emerging from where Terminal 2 once stood, and an upgrade of facilities at Terminal 4 is currently underway.

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