Most of the world’s top 20 airports saw at least small amounts of growth in 2015, with Hong Kong International Airport retaining the top spot, according to Airports Council International (ACI).

The association says total cargo volumes including mail grew by 2.4 per cent and among the top 20 airports, only four saw a fall in 2015. ACI says Tokyo’s Narita International Airport dipped by 0.6 per cent to 2.1 million tonnes, Frankfurt Airport was down by 2.6 per cent to two million tonnes and Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport saw the biggest fall of 3.2 per cent to two million tonnes. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol also saw a dip of 0.9 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes.

Hong Kong International Airport retained the top spot, with a 0.4 per cent increase to 4.4 million tonnes, followed by Memphis International Airport, up 0.8 per cent to 4.3 million tonnes. Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Incheon International Airport rounded out the top five.

ACI World director general, Angela Gittens says: “It’s impressive to witness the dynamic character of the aviation industry and its evolution over time. In certain markets, we see both airlines and airport operators expanding and optimising their capacity in order to accommodate the growing demand for air transport.”

Elsewhere in the figures, Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s volumes jumped 15.6 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes, and Hamad International Airport in Doha surged into the top 20 with a 46 per cent increase to 1.4 million tonnes.