Top 10 Fastest increasing Airports in the planet in 2025, No.4 Will Surprise You

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While international air traffic surges past pre-pandemic levels in 2025, some airports are emerging as resolute growth leaders in expanding flights, more routes, and significantly more seats to stay ahead of demand.

The recovery of the aviation industry is no longer just about rebound; it’s about expansion, with many hubs in Asia and North America accelerating infrastructure investments, expanding airline networks, and tapping into new demand.

Fastest-Growing Airports in the World

Based on a year-on-year seat comparison between May 2024 scheduled seats and May 2025, below are the world’s 10 fastest-growing airports today.

From South China to South India, these airports have introduced hundreds of thousands of additional seats and are rewriting their place in the world aviation map.

1. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

Seats Added: 407,370 | Growth: +10.8%

Guangzhou leads the way, adding over 400,000 additional seats in the last 12 months. Its total of 4.18 million seats in May 2025 continues to establish it as one of China’s key air hubs. Expansion is being driven by a mix of growth in domestic traffic and a quickly rebounding international market.

China Southern Airlines (CZ) added long-haul connections from Guangzhou to Europe and North America, as well as boosting domestic connections within second-tier cities. Low-cost carriers 9 Air and foreign carriers re-entering the South China market have also added new capacity.

Guangzhou is privileged by its geographical location near significant economic areas in Southern China and Southeast Asia, and thus it is a good launching site for short- and medium-range routes.

2. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Seats Added: 404,053 | Growth: +15.0%

After several years of softer growth due to travel restrictions and geopolitical pressures, Hong Kong is now roaring back. Led by a 15% year-to-year seat growth, Hong Kong International is the second-fastest growing airport in 2025.

This rebound is underpinned by Cathay Pacific’s ambitious network rebuild, including transcontinental flights to Europe and North America. The low-cost segment in Hong Kong is also finally taking off, with HK Express expanding regional routes to Thailand, Korea, and Japan.

Infrastructural improvements—such as the third runway construction and electronic immigration clearance—have boosted capacity and processing speed. As mainland China further opens up, Hong Kong again is functioning as a high-end international gateway.

3. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Seats Added: 353,694 | Growth: +9.4%

Shanghai Pudong remains a cornerstone of China’s international air strategy. With scheduled seating of over 4.1 million in May 2025 and a year-to-year increase of around 354,000 seats, it ranks third globally in terms of growth.

China Eastern Airlines has added new trans-Pacific and European services, and foreign airlines such as Lufthansa, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines are returning frequencies.

Pudong’s double role as both transit and cargo hub gives it an edge. With more visa-free transit facilities and another push by the authorities to re-entice international business traffic, Shanghai is making a comeback in international air travel.

4. Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)

Seats Added: 339,828 | Growth: +25.6%

Hyderabad’s 25.6% seat surge is the largest percentage growth among the top 10. At 1.66 million seats in May 2025, the airport has become a strong contender among India’s emerging global gateways.

The city’s tech boom, rising middle class, and rising corporate travel are the underlying drivers of demand. IndiGo, India’s biggest carrier, has expanded domestic and international flights out of Hyderabad, including new flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways all added flights as Gulf-India demand keeps rising.

The expansion project, which includes a new runway and terminal enhancements, will continue to drive expansion at the end of the decade.

5. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

Seats Added: 326,042 | Growth: +13.2%

Phoenix is North America’s fastest-growing major airport in 2025. With nearly 2.8 million seats reserved in May and a 13.2% increase year-over-year, the airport is evolving beyond its domestic orientation.

American Airlines has launched new domestic connections from PHX to secondary markets, and international expansion is being spearheaded by new and expanded routes to Canada and Mexico. Low-fare carriers like Southwest and Frontier have added significant seat capacity on high-vacation-traveling routes, targeting the increasing population of Arizona and nearby states.

Strategic airport location in the U.S. Southwest and increased tourist appeal are turning Phoenix into a gateway city.

6. Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)

Seats Added: 324,731 | Growth: +16.9%

India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, is growing rapidly, and so is its airport. At 2.25 million seats during May, Kempegowda International Airport added almost 325,000 seats in a year, thanks to record demand for business and holiday travel.

IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India have introduced capacity to Indian metros and international metros such as Singapore, Dubai, and Frankfurt. The new Terminal 2 commissioned has also enabled the airport to have greater widebody aircraft accommodation and better segregation of domestic and international flows.

As Air India’s transformation under the Tata Group goes on and more foreign carriers add BLR to their networks, the airport is already poised to be India’s next international hub.

7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Seats Added: 318,906 | Growth: +12.4%

SFO remains a significant transpacific and transcontinental hub, with 2.89 million scheduled seats in May and a 12.4% growth year-over-year.

The recovery of Asia-Pacific travel—particularly to China, Japan, and India—is San Francisco’s lead growth story. United Airlines resumed and began service to major Asian markets, while international carriers like Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Cathay Pacific are increasing frequencies.

The Bay Area mix of tech-savvy business travel and high-revenue recreational traffic gives SFO a robust demand foundation. Enhancements to infrastructure—such as runway refurbishments and expanded gate space—continue to fuel this growth.

8. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)

Seats Added: 306,167 | Growth: +10.7%

Kuala Lumpur is in post-pandemic recovery mode now with over 3.17 million monthly seats. Headed by Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, and the resurgent AirAsia, KUL is consolidating its position as a Southeast Asian transit and low-cost gateway.

Strong inbound traffic from China, India, and the Middle East is backed up by increasing outbound demand from Malaysians. As AirAsia grows its medium-haul fleet and Malaysia Airlines boosts frequency on high-demand Asia-Pacific sectors, KUL’s traffic is rebounding strongly.

Terminal modernization and tourist visa-friendly policies by Malaysia are making it sweeter.

9. Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)

Seats Added: 286,260 | Growth: +21.8%

Bangkok’s Don Mueang ranks Southeast Asia’s highest in percentage growth, up by nearly 22% compared to the previous year. At 1.6 million seats during May of 2025, the secondary airport is thriving, especially as regional low-cost travel increases by leaps and bounds.

Hub to Nok Air and Thai AirAsia, DMK is a short-haul hub for a high-density Southeast Asia and China network. Chinese group travel has been restored, and weekend travel from Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos has stimulated capacity.

Thailand’s policy to develop low-cost flights via secondary airports is a success, and Don Mueang will be the most benefited.

10. Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Seats Added: 272,563 | Growth: +18.4%

Osaka Kansai rounds out the list, adding 272,563 seats in one year, a remarkable 18.4% increase.

The rebound in inbound tourism to Japan, especially from South Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, has driven Kansai’s resurgence. Peach Aviation, Jetstar Japan, and ANA are aggressively expanding at the airport, while international carriers like Thai Airways, AirAsia, and Scoot are adding frequencies.

With Osaka hosting the 2025 World Expo, the city is investing in both air and ground infrastructure. Kansai’s coastal location, long-haul capability, and role as the international gateway to western Japan are key to its sustained growth.

A Year of Global Takeoff

From mega hubs of Southern China to India’s IT boom cities and America’s desert gateways, the world’s fastest growing airports range as much in diversity as the air travelers they serve. They share one thing, however: the same trend of rising traffic, expanding route systems, and investments.

Whether it’s the return of Chinese outbound travel, India’s expanding middle class, or low-cost travel booms in Southeast Asia, expansion here signals not only a rebound but a change in international aviation demand trends.

As airlines pour capacity into these big cities, expect these airports to continue climbing in international rankings in the coming years.

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