Dubai retains global international airport crown; Atlanta leads overall traffic

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its position as the world’s busiest international airport for September, even as scheduled seat capacity remains significantly below last year’s level, according to aviation data provider OAG.

DXB is scheduled to offer 4.34 million seats during the month, keeping it firmly at the top of OAG’s international airport rankings. However, capacity is 15% lower than in September 2025, highlighting the continued pressure due to the conflict in the region.

London Heathrow ranks second with 4.07 million international seats, down 2% year-on-year, while Seoul Incheon moves into third place with 3.78 million seats, registering strong 9% growth. Amsterdam Schiphol is fourth with 3.69 million seats, up 1%, followed by Istanbul Airport with 3.59 million seats, an increase of 2%.

Despite Dubai’s commanding international position, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) remains the world’s busiest airport overall when measured by total scheduled seats.

Atlanta is scheduled to handle 5.09 million seats in September, although that represents a modest 1% decline from a year earlier. Chicago O’Hare has climbed into second place with 4.89 million seats, posting an 11% increase, while Shanghai Pudong ranks third with 4.62 million seats, also up 11%.

Tokyo Haneda is fourth with 4.57 million seats, down 1%, while Guangzhou Baiyun has surged into fifth place with 4.54 million seats, marking a 10% year-on-year increase.

The rankings underline the different roles played by the two leading airports. Atlanta dominates overall airport traffic through its huge domestic network, while Dubai remains the leading global hub for international travel.

In Europe, Istanbul Airport leads the rankings with 4.52 million seats, up 1% year-on-year. Heathrow follows with 4.32 million, while Paris Charles de Gaulle ranks third with 3.79 million seats, up 2%.

Frankfurt has moved into fourth place with 3.73 million seats, up 1%, followed by Amsterdam Schiphol with 3.69 million seats, also up 1%.

OAG said several airports recorded notable changes in the September rankings. Guangzhou Baiyun climbed five places globally, from 10th to fifth, on 10% growth, while Chicago O’Hare jumped three places from fifth to second after an 11% increase in capacity.

Singapore Changi also moved up to sixth among international airports, while Frankfurt rose to fourth in Europe. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen recorded the fastest growth among European airports at 9%, while Madrid Barajas and Seoul Incheon posted 9% growth in the international rankings.

OAG’s September figures are based on scheduled airline seat capacity, providing a snapshot of the scale of airline operations at the world’s major airports rather than passenger numbers actually handled. - TradeArabia News Service