Busiest Airports in the World | OAG

Which is the Busiest AIrport in the World?

Dubai International Airport (DXB) remains the world’s busiest airport in January 2026 with 5.50 million seats, a 4% increase in airline capacity compared with January 2025. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) ranks second with 4.92 million seats, up 1% year-on-year, while Tokyo Haneda (HND) remains in third place despite a 1% decline, totalling 4.64 million seats.
Several airports have seen notable airline capacity growth this month. Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) has 4.43 million seats this month, up 4% compared to last year, maintaining fourth position, while Istanbul Airport (IST) saw strong growth of 6% to reach 4.28 million seats, moving into sixth place. Delhi (DEL) has also performed well, growing 5% to 4.22 million seats and is in eighth place.
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) saw a 1% decline to 4.29 million seats, while London Heathrow (LHR) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) both recorded broadly stable capacity, remaining flat year-on-year at 4.25 million and 4.07 million seats respectively. Seoul Incheon (ICN) completes the top ten with 3.92 million seats, reflecting a 2% increase compared with January 2025.

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which is the busiest international airport in the world?

Dubai International Airport (DXB) remains the world’s busiest international airport in January 2026, handling 5.50 million seats - a 4% increase in airline capacity compared with January 2025.
London Heathrow (LHR) ranks second with 3.97 million seats, up 1% year-on-year, while Seoul Incheon (ICN) takes third place with 3.89 million seats, representing 2% growth compared to January 2025.
Several airports record strong capacity growth this month compared to January 2025. Istanbul Airport (IST) is in fifth place with 3.48 million seats, a 7% year-on-year increase - making it one of the fastest-growing major international hubs. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is also performing strongly, increasing 5% to 3.47 million seats, while Doha (DOH) has increased airline capacity by 6% to 2.96 million seats.
Elsewhere, Singapore Changi (SIN) has seen a slight 1% decline to 3.72 million seats, while Amsterdam (AMS) remains broadly flat year-on-year at 3.10 million seats. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) has grown modestly by 2% to 3.04 million seats, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is down 1% with 2.92 million seats.

Which is Europe's Busiest Airport?

Istanbul Airport (IST) remains Europe’s busiest airport in January 2026 with 4.28 million seats, a 6% increase compared to January 2025.
London Heathrow (LHR) ranks second with 4.25 million seats, remaining broadly flat year-on-year, while Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) holds third place with 3.35 million seats, reflecting a 3% growth in air capacity.
Several airports have seen an increase in capacity this month compared to the same month last year. Madrid Barajas (MAD) at 3.15 million seats is up 2%, while Frankfurt (FRA) has grown by 3% to 2.82 million seats, putting them in fourth and sixth place, respectively.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) stands out as the fastest-growing airport in the Top 10, increasing capacity by 13% to 2.52 million seats, and is in seventh place. Elsewhere, Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) remains stable at 3.10 million seats in fifth place, while Barcelona (BCN) sees modest growth of 1%, reaching 2.26 million seats, and is in eighth place. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) has experienced a slight 2% decline with 2.10 million seats, while Munich (MUC) remains broadly flat year-on-year with 1.86 million seats.

What makes these airports the busiest?

The top airports for capacity combine prime location, hub airlines, large-scale infrastructure, and strong economic or tourism pull

Why use capacity as a metric?

Capacity data and passenger numbers will tend to follow the same trend, but by using capacity data to determine the busiest airport we can look ahead to the upcoming month.

Are these the busiest airports by flights?

We define our busiest airports by capacity, which provides a forward-looking view of passenger-carrying potential. Measuring by flights instead reflects aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings) and highlights overall air traffic. Airports with heavy short-haul domestic schedules often rank high by flights, but this does not necessarily translate into greater passenger capacity.

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