Each of the 10 busiest global airports in 2025 are at or
above 2019 capacity levels, according to a new OAG report that ranks airports
by available departing seats. All but one reported an increase in capacity
compared with 2024.
According to OAG's 2025 World's Busiest Airports report,
released Thursday, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in 2025 retained
its position as the world's busiest, with capacity of 63.1 million seats across
domestic and international services. The airport's capacity increased 1 percent
year over year and "is now broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels."
In 2024, it had been 1 percent below 2019 levels.
Dubai International Airport was second again, with more than
62.4 million seats, a 4 percent increase year over year and 16 percent jump
from 2019 levels. Tokyo Haneda retained its third-place position with nearly
55.4 million seats. Its capacity was level year over year, but increased 1
percent compared with 2019.
[Report continues below chart.]
The remaining three U.S. airports that made the global list
include Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, down a notch to sixth place with
51.2 million seats. This was the only airport with a capacity decline versus
2024, of 1 percent, but its number of seats increased 17 percent compared with
2019 levels.
Chicago O'Hare moved up to eighth place from 10th in 2024
with 50.6 million seats, representing an 8 percent year-over-year capacity
increase—the largest of the top 10 busiest airports. Its capacity is now level
with 2019 levels. Denver International dropped to 10th place from sixth, with
49.5 million seats. Its capacity increased 1 percent year over year and was 24
percent above 2019 levels.
The 10 busiest airports of 2025 also comprised the 2024 list,
albeit in slightly different order.
Busiest European Airports
The busiest European airports nearly duplicated last year's
rankings, save for the last two positions. London Heathrow led with 52.1
million seats across domestic and international services. Its capacity
increased 1 percent year over year and was 4 percent higher than 2019 levels.
Istanbul Airport was second with 51.5 million seats, a
capacity increase of 6 percent compared with 2024 and 22 percent versus 2019.
Paris Charles de Gaulle was third at 43.2 million seats. Capacity increased 3
percent year over year but declined 4 percent compared with 2019 levels.
The only newcomer on the list was Istanbul
Sabiha Gokcen Airport in ninth, up from 11th in 2024—which pushed Munich down
to 10th—with 28.6 million seats. Its capacity increased 15 percent year over
year and was 37 percent above 2019 levels.