Dubai International Leads Global Airport Rankings in September 2026

Aug 31, 2026

77 min

Aug 31, 2026 10:30

Dubai tops world airport rankings with 8.68 million international seats in September

## Dubai Maintains Top Spot

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again claimed the title of the world's busiest airport for international traffic in September 2026. According to data from aviation analytics firm OAG, the airport scheduled 4.34 million departing international seats, totaling approximately 8.68 million seats for both arriving and departing flights.

## Global Comparisons

DXB outperformed other major airports, including London Heathrow, which ranked second with 4.07 million international seats. Seoul Incheon International Airport followed with 3.78 million seats, while Amsterdam Schiphol and Istanbul Airport rounded out the top five with 3.69 million and 3.59 million seats, respectively.

## Year-on-Year Changes

Despite maintaining its leading position, Dubai's international capacity in September was about 15% lower than the same month in 2025. Among the top airports, Seoul showed the most significant growth with a 9% increase in capacity, while Amsterdam and Istanbul saw modest rises of 1% and 2%, respectively. In contrast, Heathrow experienced a 2% decline.

## Passenger Traffic Trends

In 2025, DXB was also the busiest airport for international passenger traffic, marking its 12th consecutive year at the top. The airport handled a record 95.2 million passengers, a 3.1% increase from 2024. However, the first half of 2026 saw a 31.3% drop in passenger numbers due to regional airspace issues, with 31.5 million passengers recorded.

## Recovery and Connectivity

By June 2026, nearly 50 international airlines were operating at DXB, connecting Dubai to 217 destinations across 99 countries. Passenger load factors began to recover, approaching 2025 levels as international connectivity improved.

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