Top 10 busiest cargo airports in the world

Are you curious about the world’s busiest cargo airports? As someone who loves learning about the latest trends in transportation and logistics, I find it fascinating to explore the critical role that airports play in facilitating global trade and commerce. That’s why I was excited to dive into the latest data from the Airports Council International (ACI) and compile a list of the top 10 busiest cargo airports in the world.

Based on figures published on April 5th, 2023, this list provides a snapshot of the airports that handled the most cargo in 2022. From Asia to Europe to North America, these airports represent some of the busiest hubs for air cargo transportation, moving millions of tonnes of freight and mail each year.

So, whether you’re a student of logistics, a business owner who relies on air freight to transport goods, or simply someone who loves to learn about the world around you, I invite you to join me as we explore the top 10 busiest cargo airports in the world.

List of the top 10 busiest cargo airports in the world

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), China, the busiest cargo airport in the world

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has claimed the top spot as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2022.
Opened: 6 July , 1998
It handled a whopping 5.1 million tonnes of cargo in 2022.
HKG, located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, serves as a key gateway between Asia and the rest of the world, facilitating trade between countries and continents.
HKG benefits from its strategic location, situated at the heart of the Asia-Pacific region and within five hours’ flying time of half the world’s population.
HKG has invested heavily in infrastructure and technology to enhance its cargo-handling capabilities. Its state-of-the-art facilities include a dedicated air cargo terminal with 2.6 million square feet of warehouse space, as well as advanced systems for tracking, sorting, and processing cargo.
HKG Airport has established itself as a major player in the e-commerce industry, with a growing number of companies using the airport as a gateway for shipping goods to and from Asia.
The airport has also embraced new technologies and innovations, such as drone deliveries and robotic cargo handling systems, to keep pace with the rapidly evolving demands of the industry.

Memphis International Airport (MEM), the United States

Memphis International Airport (MEM) has long been a hub for air cargo transportation, and it solidified its position as the world’s second-busiest cargo airport in 2022
MEM handled 4.6 million tonnes of cargo.
Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the Memphis International Airport serves as a key link in the global supply chain, connecting businesses and consumers around the world.
One of the main reasons for MEM’s success is its close partnership with FedEx, which operates its global hub at the airport. FedEx’s presence has helped to establish MEM as a major player in the air cargo industry, and the airport has invested heavily in infrastructure and technology to support the company’s operations. This includes a massive sorting facility with a capacity of over 400,000 packages per hour, as well as dedicated cargo aprons and taxiways to accommodate FedEx’s fleet of cargo planes.
In addition to FedEx, MEM also serves as a hub for several other cargo airlines, including UPS, DHL, and Amazon Air.
Its strategic location in the central United States, with easy access to major highways and rail lines, makes it an attractive option for companies looking to move goods quickly and efficiently.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), the United States

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) has ranked as the world’s third busiest cargo airport in 2022.
It handled 3.7 million tonnes of cargo in 2022.
Located in Anchorage, Alaska, the airport serves as a key connecting point between Asia, Europe, and North America, making it an important hub for air cargo transportation.
One of the main reasons for the ANC’s success is its strategic location. The airport is situated at the northernmost point of the United States, with easy access to major air routes between Asia and North America. This makes it an attractive option for cargo carriers looking to move goods quickly and efficiently between continents.
The airport boasts a dedicated cargo terminal with over 4.5 million square feet of warehouse space, as well as advanced systems for tracking, sorting, and processing cargo. It also has a wide range of cargo-handling equipment, including oversized freight loaders, refrigerated storage facilities, and animal handling facilities.
ANC has established itself as a leader in the transportation of perishable goods, such as seafood and flowers. The airport has implemented rigorous temperature controls and other measures to ensure that these products arrive at their destination in pristine condition, helping to support Alaska’s thriving seafood and horticulture industries.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), China

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the fourth busiest cargo airport in the world, according to ACI Ranking.
Opened 16 September 1999
It handled 3.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2022.
Located in Shanghai, China, PVG serves as a key hub for air cargo transportation in the Asia-Pacific region.
One of the main reasons for PVG’s success is its central location in China, which makes it an important gateway to the country’s vast manufacturing and export industries.
The airport has a dedicated cargo terminal with over 1.3 million square feet of warehouse space.
PVG is also home to China’s two largest cargo airlines, China Cargo Airlines and China Eastern Airlines Cargo. These airlines operate a combined fleet of over 50 cargo planes, providing extensive coverage of domestic and international routes. PVG also serves as a hub for several other cargo airlines, including UPS, FedEx, and DHL.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), the United States

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the fifth busiest cargo airport in the world, according to ACI Ranking.
The present modern and larger facilities at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport were built in the 1980s.
It handled 3.06 million tonnes of cargo in 2022.
The airport serves as a major hub for United Parcel Service (UPS), one of the largest cargo carriers in the world. This means that a significant amount of cargo passes through the airport on a daily basis.
Located in Kentucky, the airport is situated in the heart of the United States and has excellent connectivity to major markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. This makes it an ideal location for cargo carriers looking to transport goods across different regions.
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is equipped with modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art cargo handling facilities. This enables the airport to efficiently handle a large volume of cargo and ensure timely delivery to its destination.
The city of Louisville has a strong manufacturing and logistics industry, which generates a significant amount of air cargo traffic. This further contributes to the airport’s status as a major cargo hub.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has experienced a 0.5% increase in cargo traffic compared to the previous year. This growth is expected to continue as global trade rebounds and e-commerce continues to drive demand for air cargo services.

Incheon International Airport (ICN), South Korea

Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the sixth busiest cargo airport in the world, according to ACI Ranking.
Opened on March 29, 2001
It handled 2.94 million tonnes of cargo in 2022.
Located in South Korea, Incheon International Airport is situated in a strategic location that connects major cities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This makes it an ideal location for cargo carriers looking to transport goods across different regions.
It serves as a hub for several other cargo airlines including AeroLogic, Air China Cargo, Air France Cargo, DHL Aviation, and Emirates Sky Cargo.
Incheon International Airport is equipped with modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art cargo handling facilities. This enables the airport to efficiently handle a large volume of cargo and ensure timely delivery to its destination.
South Korea has a strong manufacturing industry, particularly in electronics, which generates a significant amount of air cargo traffic. This further contributes to the airport’s status as a major cargo hub.
Incheon International Airport offers a wide range of cargo services, including temperature-controlled storage and handling, dangerous goods handling, and live animal transportation. This makes it an attractive option for cargo carriers looking for specialized services.
Incheon International Airport has experienced an 11.5% decrease in cargo traffic compared to the previous year. This decrease can be attributed to the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with global trade expected to recover, Incheon International Airport is well-positioned to regain its cargo traffic growth.

Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), Taiwan

Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the seventh busiest cargo airport in the world, according to ACI Ranking.
Opened on February 26, 1979
It handled 2.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2022
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is located in northern Taiwan, which is a strategic location in East Asia. It is well-connected to major cities in Asia, including Shanghai, Tokyo, and Seoul, making it an ideal hub for cargo traffic.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is known as Asia’s best-connected and gateway airport for cargo handling. It serves as a hub for major cargo carriers, including China Airlines Cargo, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines, among others.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is equipped with modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art cargo handling facilities. This enables the airport to efficiently handle a large volume of cargo and ensure timely delivery to its destination.
Taiwan has a strong manufacturing industry, particularly in electronics and semiconductors, which generates a significant amount of air cargo traffic. This further contributes to the airport’s status as a major cargo hub.
Taoyuan International Airport has experienced a 9.7% decrease in cargo traffic compared to the previous year. This decrease can be attributed to the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the global trade expected to recover, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is well-positioned to regain its cargo traffic growth.

Summary of the top 10 busiest cargo airports in the world

Here are the top 10 busiest cargo airports in the world:

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Memphis International Airport (MEM)
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)

The world’s busiest cargo airports play a crucial role in global trade and commerce. These airports serve as major hubs for cargo traffic, handling millions of tonnes of goods every year. From the bustling hub of Hong Kong International Airport to the modern facilities of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, each airport has its own unique strengths and advantages that contribute to its status as a major cargo hub. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s busiest cargo airports have continued to operate and adapt to meet the changing demands of the industry. As global trade continues to recover, these airports will play an increasingly vital role in facilitating the movement of goods across borders and supporting economic growth around the world.