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DFW Airport was the 3rd busiest airport in the world in 2024

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport had a banner year in 2024.

International organization Airports Council International (ACI) World has revealed its 2024 rankings of the busiest airports in the world, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Aiport came in at No. 3 on the list with nearly 88 million passengers flying through the airport last year.

The annual report examined passenger data for more than 2,700 airports worldwide to determine which had the most traffic in 2024. Preliminary data was unveiled April 14, with the full rankings expected to be confirmed in July 2025.

The initial data says nearly five billion global travelers took flights in 2024, representing a 9 percent increase from 2023's passenger traffic.

DFW Airport saw a nearly identical increase in its traffic this year with about 87.82 million passengers flying in or out in 2024.

The top two airports that beat DFW with even busier year were Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (No. 1) with over 108 million passengers, and Dubai International Airport (No. 2) which saw more than 92.33 million passengers.

ACI World Director Justin Erbacci said the top 10 busiest airports are thriving even while enduring "global challenges" such as ongoing supply chain issues, aircraft manufacturing production delays, and the threat of tariffs.

“These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity," Erbacci said. "As air travel grows, ACI World stands ready to support its members, ensuring the smooth flow of people and goods that drive global economic, social, and cultural progress."

Global passenger traffic is expected to crease nearly 5 percent to 9.9 billion travelers in 2025, according to ACI World.

In the global rankings of airports with the most aircraft movements, DFW ranked No. 3 with 743,203 takeoffs and landings in 2024.

The top 10 busiest airports in the world are:

No. 1 – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
No. 2 – Dubai International Airport
No. 3 – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
No. 4 – Haneda Airport, Japan
No. 5 – Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom
No. 6 – Denver International Airport
No. 7 – Istanbul Airport
No. 8 – Chicago O'Hare International Airport
No. 9 – Indira Gandhi International Airport, India
No. 10 – Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China

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'Hidden gem' Texas city soars onto 2026 top travel destinations list

Photo by Grace Estrada on Unsplash

El Paso was named one of the "Rising Star Destinations" to book for a vacation in 2026.

A new 2026 Travel Trends Forecast from vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo has unveiled the top U.S. cities that are on travelers' minds for the next year, and one unsuspecting far West Texas city was included on the list: El Paso.

El Paso was named one of six most sought-after "Rising Star Destinations" in the Southwest and Mountain West regions. Search trends revealed traveler interest in El Paso skyrocketed 191 percent year-over-year, with vacationers pining after "desert landscapes" and "frontier-style towns with modern Western flair."

To determine where travelers are planning on booking their 2026 vacations, HomeToGo surveyed 1,000 American adults from November 26-28, 2025 to discover which locales offer "both affordability and under-the-radar appeal." Search interest and price insights were based on observed searches executed via HomeToGo's website from August 1-November 15, 2025, with a check-in date during 2026.

The reports findings show the vacation accommodations in El Paso cost a median $62.21 per night, earning the city a reputation for being more affordable than Texas' major cities like Dallas or Houston. HomeToGo also said travelers are "increasingly turning to smaller [Southwestern] towns" to find accommodations rather than booking a stay at a large resort.

Additionally, younger travelers like Gen Zers and Millennials are driving the shift toward these hidden gem destinations after collecting inspiration from social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

"Western destinations are seeing a rise in interest, fueled by a broader cultural moment that has placed such locations firmly in the spotlight," the report's author wrote. "In 2025, artists such as Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter brought fresh takes on the visual language of country music firmly into the mainstream, with this movement further amplified across social media platforms."

There's plenty to do in the self-proclaimed "Sun City," such as hiking in Franklin Mountains State Park or Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visiting local museums, and much more.

Other top "Neo-Western Revival" destinations to visit in 2026 include:

Marana, Arizona
Cañon City, Colorado
Yucca Valley, California
Queen Creek, Arizona
Bisbee, Arizona

"According to the survey findings, 76 percent of U.S. travelers plan to go on vacation in 2026, with over a quarter (26 percent) actively booking longer and more extravagant breaks," the report said. "Fifty-seven percent plan to spend more on vacations in comparison to 2025, indicating that the appetite for travel is clearly growing."

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'Hidden gem' Texas city soars onto 2026 top travel destinations list