Gone are the days when traveling to exotic and remote locations remained just a dream to the average Joe.
With air travel becoming increasingly affordable and airports popping up here and there, it has become much easier for travelers to book flights to their desired destinations.
These days, most countries invest heavily in promoting tourism, and one way of doing that is by building more airports—so more areas become easily accessible.
The top countries with the most airports are the USA, Brazil, and Mexico. Incidentally, the USA and Mexico also made it to the list of the most visited countries in the world. Moreover, the convenience of airports in various strategic locations within the country boosts tourism.
In this article, we will talk about the top 10 countries with the most airports, the busiest airport for each of them, and how much foot traffic it generates each year.
We will also discuss some exciting bits of information about each country to give you a glimpse of why they attract a lot of travelers every year. Let’s begin!
10 Countries With the Most Airports in the World
Air travel was a luxury reserved only for the rich and famous. Nowadays, practically anybody can afford to travel by plane to visit even far-flung nations. It helps that a lot of countries invest in building airports in strategic locations within their territory to make various places more accessible to travelers and to help boost tourism as well.
Let’s explore the top 10 countries boasting the most number of airports in the world. Let’s begin with the least number in the group and work our way up to the top:
1. Indonesia
Clocking in with 673 airports, we have Indonesia. It is a tropical country in Southeast Asia known for its beautiful islands, sparkling beaches, rainforests, and historic temples. Tourists flock to it because of its rich cultural heritage and biodiversity.
You can find Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport (CGK), Indonesia’s busiest airport, right at the heart of its capital. About 58 million people go through its gates yearly, and we can expect more in the coming years since tourism is booming.
Bali is among the most popular destinations, thanks to its Hindu temples, volcanoes, waterfalls, and picturesque beaches. Travelers also love the Komodo National Park because it is home to at least 5,000 dragons—fascinating creatures to observe in the wild.
2. Paraguay
This landlocked South American country boasts 799 airports, with Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) being the busiest. Roughly 1.24 million travelers flock to this airport annually, a good number of them eager to participate in Paraguay’s world-famous festivals.
The Dia de San Blas is one of the country’s most popular festivals. Firmly rooted in the Catholic faith, this festival celebrates Paraguay’s patron saint, St. Blaise, who possesses strong healing powers. You can expect a lot of fun activities, dancing, singing, and delicious food.
3. Colombia
Colombia is making a name for itself with a total of 836 airports. El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in the capital city of Bogota is the busiest of all, with an average of 9.4 million people going in and out of its gates every year.
People visit Colombia for treks through dense jungles, snorkeling expeditions, and visits to historical sites. The country’s love for coffee is infectious, and the abundance of exotic fruits will make you want to try a different one for each day of your stay.
Their Arabica coffee is known for its pleasant aroma and robust flavor. The Lulo, Colombia’s signature fruit, is the most controversial — the inside reveals an interesting pattern when sliced, produces a whitish foam when juiced, and can add more zest to desserts with its citrus flavor.
4. Bolivia
Bolivia is a great country to visit if you are fond of the outdoors. You can choose from among their 1,000 airports dotted across the nation. Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) is the busiest, with about 2.81 million people visiting each year.
Bolivia is known for its magical winters, breathtaking scenery, and abundant wildlife. Its diverse culture and indigenous heritage are also among the reasons why a lot of people choose to visit this country situated in west-central South America. One of the most exciting places to visit is the city of La Paz. It sits 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level and boasts the world’s most extensive cable car system.
5. Argentina
Another South American country makes our list with 1,138 airports up its sleeve. You find Argentina’s busiest airport in the capital city of Buenos Aires, the Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), also known as Ezeiza International Airport. The foot traffic in this bustling airport averages 10 million each year.
Argentinians are well-known for their love for soccer, top-quality leather, red wine, and steaks. People visit this country to immerse themselves in the rich culture and heritage, explore scenic landmarks and exciting city happenings, and explore delectable dishes.
Tango is another reason why people visit Argentina. You wouldn’t be disappointed because there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this dance, whether dancing it or watching it from the sidelines. Local restaurants and bars feature this engaging dance practically every night.
6. Russia
This country, with 1,218 airports across its vast territory, is unique in that it is part of Asia and Europe — it straddles northern and eastern Europe. Its capital city, Moscow, boasts of 2 of the busiest airports in the country, the Moscow-Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and the Moscow-Domodedovo Airport (DME), both generating foot traffic of about 40.1 million annually.
Russia is famous for its grand palaces and monuments. If you’re outdoorsy, their lakes, mountain ranges, sprawling deserts, and deep forests are fascinating areas to explore. You’ll never run out of places to visit because it is the largest country in the world.
Don’t forget to visit Red Square while you’re in Moscow. It is the oldest and largest square in the city with a rich historical significance—surrounded by equally historical buildings. One is Saint Basil’s Cathedral, a fitting representation of Russia’s history, religion, politics, and architecture.
7. Canada
Ranking 33rd in the world in terms of annual passenger traffic, Canada’s Toronto International Airport (YYZ) attracts about 45 million each year. The country has 1,467 airports that serve as gateways to the many views and activities you can enjoy.
Visitors love Canada for its wide range of outdoor activities — hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, snowboarding, or skiing—all of which you can enjoy when you visit this North American country.
Another crowd-drawer for Canada is the fact that dinosaurs (including the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex) used to roam the territory, specifically around idyllic locations in Alberta.
Canada used to be warmer than it is today, so dinosaurs had no trouble thriving. The museums featuring these ancient giants are truly mesmerizing. Dinosaur fossils, footprints, and eggs are sometimes still discovered in various locations.
8. Mexico
This nation, nestled between Guatemala and the USA, boasts 1,714 airports. The Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) is the busiest, right at the heart of Mexico City’s capital. More than 40 million travelers pass through its doors yearly.
Mexico attracts travelers because of its appealing climate, rich culture, and deliciously unique cuisine. You can do many things in Mexico, but it is most famous for its pristine beaches.
Cancun, in particular, attracts thousands of travelers every year to its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Mexico has also earned quite a reputation for having the best tacos, burritos, margaritas, and tequilas in the world.
9. Brazil
Brazil makes it to the list with 4,093 airports, the busiest of which is the Brasilia International Airport (BSB). More than 9 million travelers pass through its gates yearly—not surprising since there’s so much to do in Brazil.
Holidays and carnivals in Brazil are extraordinarily festive. The Rio Carnival, for instance, expects about 2 million people out on the streets every day. It is a 4-day event, beginning on a Saturday and ending on Fat Tuesday (1 day before the official start of Lent). There are ornate floats, colorful costumes, dancing, and continuous merry-making.
10. USA
The USA tops the list with a whopping 13,513 airports across different states. The Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, is the busiest, catering to about 100 million travelers each year.
The USA is the third most visited country in the world, after France and Spain. With 50 states, any adventurous traveler would never run out of things to do and places to visit. What’s great about the US is it offers diverse cultures, so you almost feel as if you’re visiting a whole new country whenever you cross a state border.
Disneyland is undeniably at the top of most travelers’ lists, understandably so because it appeals to the young and old alike. This entertainment paradise is probably the best place to bump into Mickey Mouse, chat with him, and maybe even snap some shots.
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