Top 10 busiest airports in the world 2025; check where India’s airport ranks

Airports have become the hubs of global connectivity as hubs of enabling travel across nations and cities. With the aviation industry recovering from losses over the past few years, these airports are more crucial than ever to enable easy transit for millions of people. This has enabled more individuals to travel around the world easily, cementing global relations and economic unions.
In 2025, the busiest airports in the world will continue to be centers of global air travel, with millions of passengers going through them every year. The airports continue to be centers of international transit points for flights as well as reflect increasing demand for air transport globally. Among the busiest airports in the world, India's airport has improved its ranking greatly, reflecting its increasing place in the global chain of aviation. As passenger traffic between the regions, busiest airport rankings are beacons for market leaders, such as India's airport at position one in 2025.

Below is the list ranking the busiest airports in the world 2025 according to available seat capacity (domestic and international) as per recent OAG report:
Source: OAG


United Arab Emirates' Dubai International (DXB) has a 4,782,140-seat capacity airport as per OAG reports and is the largest seat capacity airport in the world. Dubai International is an international air hub also, servicing mostly Emirates Airlines' long-haul flights operations, linking people to European, Asian, American, and African destinations. Dubai International Airport is renowned for its first-class facilities and with high utilization, and much of that is to international utilization in accordance with its position as an emergent principal international transit hub.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) in the United States of America, with 4,568,544 seats, is the world's busiest airport by traffic as per reports. ATL is a focus city airport for Delta Air Lines and accommodates an enormous number of domestic and international flights. ATL's huge seat capacity reflects the extent of its network as it has flights to almost every part of the world. It is in the southeastern region of the United States and as a big domestic hub plays an important role in its seat capacity.

Tokyo International (HND), or Haneda Airport in Japan, has 4,222,709 seats. Tokyo's international airport or Haneda is being used due to its proximity to the center of Tokyo and is among the flagship bases for Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA). The giant seat capacity at this airport showcases its significance within domestic and international air travel.

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) in China, with 3,993,388 seats, is Shanghai's busiest airport and one of the world's leading international hubs. It is a gateway between China and Europe, North America, and other areas of Asia. It is particularly vital to one of China's biggest airlines, China Eastern Airlines. PVG has seen explosive capacity growth as a gateway to China and capacity, much like Shanghai's as an international business and financial center.

London Heathrow (LHR) in the UK is a seat capacity of 3,857,036. The UK's busiest airport and one of Europe's busiest airports. British Airways operate it as a major hub and have an enormous network of foreign routes of flights. Strategically located between Europe and the other continents and having a broad network of routes are characteristics that enable it to have enormous seat capacity. Heathrow is vital in serving passengers to destinations all over the globe, particularly in Europe and North America.

United States' busiest and largest, Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) with 3,686,564 seats, is also an American Airlines hub with heavy traffic from the airport within and beyond the surrounding region. The fact that the airport is located in Texas, a large geographical location both for domestic flight in the United States and international routes to Europe, Latin America, and Asia, explains the large seat capacity of the airport.

Istanbul Airport (IST) in Turkey holds 3.616.029 seats and is a rapidly rising hub for intercontinental flights. It serves as the primary operating hub of Turkish Airlines with flights to most key destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. IST did not exist when it first opened its doors in 2018, but it grew progressively more popularity at lightning speed because it lies conveniently midway between East and West and can serve nicely as a way station for transcontinental flights.

Delhi Indira Gandhi International (DEL) is India's busiest airport with 3,613,762 seats, one of South Asia's international air traffic hubs of primary importance and ranks in the list of top 10 globally as reported by OAG. Delhi features various international and domestic hubs offering primary connectivity choices between the region, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. DEL is Air India and other Indian airlines' focus city of primary significance and serves to play a significant role in providing increased capacity for India's growing aviation demand.

China Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN) with 3,613,684 seats is a key airport in south China. It is the hub for China Southern Airlines, one of China's largest airlines, and has flights to key cities in Asia, Europe, and the United States. The airport is located in Guangzhou, which is one of China's leading business and manufacturing hubs, adding validity to its high seat capacity since it serves international passengers and increases Chinese tourist traffic.

Beijing Capital International (PEK) in China, with 3,534,883 seats, is the busiest airport in China and among the biggest in the world. It is a key international hub for flights to and from Asia, North America, and Europe. Air China, the nation's flag carrier, has Beijing Capital as its base of operations. The airport serves to link China to the rest of the world, thus being among the most significant international airports in the world.
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