Read on to discover which airports had the highest passenger numbers in 2025, based on the total number of departing, arriving, transferring and direct passengers.
The following list is based on figures from Airports Council International (ACI) and displays the top 10 busiest airports in order of total passenger numbers in 2025. Passenger figures are calculated by summing the totals of departing passengers, arriving passengers, transferring passengers and direct transit passengers at each airport throughout the course of the year.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remains the world’s busiest airport for passenger traffic, followed by Dubai International Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci said: “We congratulate the world’s busiest airports for managing growing air travel demand amid increasing operational complexity. These hubs keep people and goods moving, supporting global trade, tourism, and economic growth in their communities and regions. To help keep pace with rising demand, governments must prioritise sustained investment in airports and the broader aviation ecosystem.”
This article was updated on 14 April 2026, based on figures published on 14 April 2026.
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Acting as the primary international airport serving Atlanta, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is second busiest airport in the world by passenger numbers and aircraft movements.
Total passengers in 2025: 106,302,208
Compared to 2024: -1.6% decrease
2.Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International Airport is the primary international airport serving Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has an economic impact of $26.7 billion and is spread of 7,200 acres of land.
Total passengers in 2025: 95,192,160
Compared to 2024: 3.1% increase
3. Tokyo Haneda International Airport, (HND)
Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport and sometimes abbreviated to Tokyo-Haneda, is the busier of the two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other one being Narita International Airport.
Total passengers in 2025: 91,679,814
Compared to 2024: 6.7% increase
4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Located across two counties due to its size, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the largest hub for American Airlines and fourth busiest airport by passenger number.
Total passengers in 2025: 85,660,127
Compared to 2024: -2.5% decrease
5. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of two international airports serving Shanghai in China. Pudong Airport serves both international flights and a small number of domestic flights.
Total passengers in 2025: 84,994,227
Compared to 2024: 10.7% increase.
6. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, O’Hare International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world and one of the most significant transportation hubs in the U.S.
Total passengers in 2025: 84,814,099
Compared to 2024: 6% increase
7. London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport is the main international airport serving London, and is the largest of the six international airports of the London airport system. The airport is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings.
Total passengers in 2025: 84,482,126
Compared to 2024: 0.7% increase
8. Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport is the main international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutky district on the European side of the city.
Total passengers in 2025: 84,437,710
Compared to 2024: 5.5% increase
9. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Total passengers in 2025: 83,582,952
Compared to 2025: 9.5% increase
10. Denver International Airport (DEN)
Generating over $26 billion for the region of Colorado each year, Denver International Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in the U.S., the world’s largest aviation market.
Total passengers in 2025: 82,427,962
Compared to 2024: 0.1% increase
Busiest airports in the world by cargo handled
To view the top 10 busiest airports in the world by tonnes of cargo handled – click here.
Busiest airports in the world by aircraft movements
To view the top 10 busiest airports in the world by aircraft movements – click here.
