The global aviation industry continues to expand at a steady pace, with airports across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia competing for top positions in international and domestic passenger traffic.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global passenger numbers are expected to surpass 9 billion by the end of 2025, a record figure that highlights aviation’s role in driving global connectivity and economic growth.
Within this growth story, a small group of airports dominates the skies. These hubs handle millions of seats each month, serving as key transit points for both international and domestic travelers.
In the report, based on OAG data for September 2025, we examine the world’s busiest airports by scheduled capacity and highlight the trends shaping their performance.
Photo: Atlanta International AirportOverview: Top 10 Busiest Airports in September 2025
- Middle East’s Rise: Dubai is on the verge of overtaking Atlanta, highlighting the increasing dominance of Gulf hubs.
- Asia-Pacific Growth: Airports like Guangzhou and Shanghai are driving growth in capacity, reflecting strong demand in China.
- Stable Europe: Heathrow remains the only European airport in the global Top 10, showing consistency despite capacity limits.
- U.S. Presence: With four airports in the rankings, the U.S. continues to dominate global air travel, though some hubs like DFW are facing year-on-year declines.
Photo: Scarlet Sappho | FlickrAtlanta Remains on Top
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) retains its crown as the world’s busiest airport, handling over 5.12 million seats this September.
Despite a 2% year-on-year decline in capacity, ATL remains a critical hub for both domestic U.S. traffic and international connections.
As the primary hub for Delta Air Lines (DL), Atlanta benefits from its extensive domestic route network, connecting passengers to nearly every major city in the United States. This makes it not only a vital international hub but also the backbone of U.S. domestic air travel.
Dubai International Airport; Photo- Kgbo; Wikimedia CommonsDubai Narrowly Behind
Dubai International Airport (DXB) remains in second place but is closing the gap rapidly. With 5.1 million seats, DXB saw a 4% increase compared to September 2024. The difference between ATL and DXB is only 20,792 seats (0.4%), suggesting that Dubai could soon claim the top spot globally.
DXB’s strength lies in its position as a global hub for Emirates (EK) and flydubai (FZ), which connect passengers across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Dubai has also invested heavily in passenger experience, with luxury lounges, expansive duty-free shopping, and world-class transit facilities, reinforcing its dominance in international travel.
Tokyo Haneda Airport; Photo- WikipediaTokyo Haneda Holds Steady
Tokyo International Airport (HND) continues to perform strongly, ranking third with 4.6 million seats. Its capacity remains broadly in line with 2024, reflecting Japan’s stable demand for both domestic and international travel.
HND benefits from being closer to Tokyo’s city center than Narita (NRT), making it the preferred choice for business travelers and short-haul regional flights.
With strong carriers such as All Nippon Airways (NH) and Japan Airlines (JL), the airport maintains its role as a leading Asia-Pacific hub.
Photo: © Konstantin ‘KVentz’ Ventslavovich, 2017Istanbul’s Rapid Growth
Istanbul Airport (IST) recorded one of the strongest performances in September 2025, with 4.47 million seats, a 5% increase from 2024.
The airport climbed from fifth place last year to fourth this year, underlining its growing influence.
Turkish Airlines (TK) continues to expand aggressively, using Istanbul’s strategic location to connect Europe, Asia, and Africa. With one of the world’s largest terminal complexes and plans for future runway expansion, IST is positioning itself as a long-term global hub.
O’Hare Airport; Photo: Studio GangStrong U.S. Airport Presence
The United States continues to dominate the global rankings with four airports in the Top 10: Atlanta (ATL), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Ranked fifth with 4.42 million seats, ORD saw significant gains, climbing from seventh place in 2024. It remains a critical hub for United Airlines (UA) and American Airlines (AA).
- Denver International (DEN): With 4.11 million seats, Denver holds ninth position, reflecting strong domestic demand in the western U.S.
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): Now in tenth place, DFW experienced the largest decline among the Top 10 airports, with a 3% reduction in capacity compared to last year. Despite this, it remains a key hub for American Airlines (AA).
Photo: By Simon Boddy, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31619562London Heathrow Holds Firm
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the busiest airport in Europe, ranking sixth globally with 4.4 million seats. Although slightly down from its 2024 position, Heathrow remains a cornerstone of transatlantic traffic, with strong services from British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic (VS).
Heathrow continues to face challenges such as slot constraints and infrastructure limitations. However, its premium passenger services and strong connectivity to North America, Asia, and Africa ensure its enduring importance.
Photo: ACI WorldAsia’s Rising Airports
Asia continues to show strong growth, with Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) both making notable progress.
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG): Ranked seventh, with 4.17 million seats, PVG climbed two places from last year. It remains China’s leading international gateway.
- Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN): The standout performer, CAN surged to eighth place with 4.14 million seats, a 13% year-on-year increase — the largest growth in the top 10. This reflects China’s aviation recovery and rising domestic demand.
In Table: Top 10 busiest airports in September 2025
| 1 | ATL | Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Intl Apt | 5,123,902 | 1 |
| 2 | DXB | Dubai International | 5,103,110 | 2 |
| 3 | HND | Tokyo International (Haneda) | 4,604,002 | 3 |
| 4 | IST | Istanbul Airport | 4,475,991 | 5 |
| 5 | ORD | Chicago O’Hare International Apt | 4,424,112 | 7 |
| 6 | LHR | London Heathrow Apt | 4,400,075 | 4 |
| 7 | PVG | Shanghai Pudong International Apt | 4,174,737 | 9 |
| 8 | CAN | Guangzhou Baiyun International Apt | 4,142,834 | 14 |
| 9 | DEN | Denver International Apt | 4,117,320 | 8 |
| 10 | DFW | Dallas/Fort Worth International Apt | 4,045,921 | 6 |
Photo: FreepikBottom Line
The busiest airports in the world in September 2025 reflect both regional strengths and global trends. Atlanta (ATL) continues to hold the top spot, but Dubai (DXB) is now within striking distance, driven by international connectivity.
Asia’s rapid recovery is evident with Guangzhou (CAN) showing double-digit growth, while U.S. and European airports remain stable anchors in the network.
As passenger numbers grow worldwide, competition among these global hubs will only intensify. With capacity expansions, new airline strategies, and evolving passenger demand, the race to be the world’s busiest airport remains dynamic and closely contested.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World for Long-Haul Flights in Sep 2025
The post Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World in September 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
