Pius IkeAirports can become busy because they are located in places that are hubs for international travel. However the last few years have shown that airports themselves can be tourist attractions; they can be impressive monuments that draw in people from all over the world.
Some airports can be a combination of both; they are impressive monuments built close to important business hubs. In that case, people will come in from every corner of the world, for reasons of business and pleasure- making the airports extremely busy.
The following are some of the airports that never sleep; they are some of the biggest hubs of international travel.
Top 100 Busiest Airports In The World
1. Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), USA
Chicago O’Hare remains the world’s busiest airport in 2025, handling over 1,100 daily flights. As a major hub for United and American Airlines, it connects North America to Europe, Asia, and Latin America. With eight runways and four terminals, O’Hare’s efficiency and scale are unmatched.
Recent upgrades include biometric boarding, expanded international gates, and sustainability initiatives. Located near downtown Chicago, it serves as a critical gateway for business and leisure travelers alike. Its central location and robust infrastructure make it a cornerstone of global aviation.
2. Denver International (DEN), USA
Denver International ranks second globally, with nearly 900 daily flights. Known for its iconic tented roof and expansive layout, DEN is the largest airport in the U.S. by land area. It serves as a key hub for United Airlines and Southwest, offering connections across the U.S. and to Europe and Asia. Denver’s strategic location makes it ideal for coast-to-coast travel.
Recent expansions include a new concourse and automated baggage systems. Its high elevation and efficient operations help it maintain low delays despite weather challenges. DEN’s growth reflects the rising demand for domestic and transcontinental travel.
3. Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW), USA
DFW is the third busiest airport, with over 800 daily flights. Spanning 17,000 acres, it’s one of the largest airports in the world and a central hub for American Airlines. DFW connects passengers to over 250 destinations, including major cities in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Its five terminals are linked by a high-speed Skylink train, ensuring smooth transfers. Recent upgrades include biometric security lanes and expanded international gates. Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, the airport plays a vital role in U.S. and global air traffic, offering both volume and efficiency.
4. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), USA
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson ranks fourth, with nearly 800 daily flights. Long known as the world’s busiest by passenger volume, ATL remains a dominant hub for Delta Air Lines. Its strategic location in the southeastern U.S. makes it a key connector for domestic and international routes. The airport features two terminals and seven concourses, all designed for high throughput.
Recent improvements include expanded baggage handling and upgraded lounges. ATL’s reputation for punctuality and connectivity keeps it at the forefront of global aviation, serving millions of travelers annually with speed and reliability.
5. Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), China
Shanghai Pudong is China’s busiest airport, with nearly 700 daily flights. As a major gateway to Asia, PVG connects China to Europe, North America, and Oceania. It serves as a hub for China Eastern Airlines and hosts dozens of international carriers. The airport features two terminals and multiple satellite concourses, with advanced security and customs systems.
Recent expansions include a third runway and high-speed rail integration. PVG’s role in global commerce and tourism makes it a linchpin in East Asian aviation, supporting Shanghai’s status as a financial and cultural powerhouse.
6. Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN), China
Guangzhou Baiyun ranks sixth globally, with over 690 daily flights. Located in southern China, it serves as a hub for China Southern Airlines and connects to major cities across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The airport features two terminals and a new satellite concourse designed for high-capacity international travel.
Baiyun’s growth reflects the rapid expansion of China’s aviation sector. Recent upgrades include smart check-in kiosks, facial recognition boarding, and expanded cargo facilities. Its strategic location near manufacturing hubs makes it vital for both passenger and freight traffic.
7. Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), USA
Charlotte Douglas is the seventh busiest airport, with over 660 daily flights. As a key hub for American Airlines, CLT connects the southeastern U.S. to domestic and international destinations. The airport features a single terminal with multiple concourses, known for its efficient layout and quick turnaround times.
Recent renovations include expanded gate areas, upgraded security lanes, and improved passenger amenities. Charlotte’s central location and streamlined operations make it a favorite for business travelers and a rising star in global aviation.
8. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), Japan
Tokyo Haneda ranks eighth, with around 640 daily flights. Located close to central Tokyo, Haneda is Japan’s busiest domestic airport and a growing international hub. It serves as a base for All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL), offering connections across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Haneda’s modern terminals feature high-tech amenities, efficient customs processing, and luxury shopping. Recent expansions include a new international terminal and runway upgrades. Its proximity to Tokyo and reputation for punctuality make it a preferred gateway for millions of travelers.
9. Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey
Istanbul Airport is the ninth busiest, with over 630 daily flights. Opened in 2018, IST is one of the newest and most technologically advanced airports in the world. It serves as the main hub for Turkish Airlines and connects Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The airport features a single massive terminal designed for scalability and efficiency. Recent additions include expanded lounges, biometric boarding, and high-speed rail access. Istanbul’s geographic location makes IST a key transit point between continents, supporting its rapid rise in global rankings.
10. Delhi Indira Gandhi International (DEL), India
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport ranks tenth, with over 630 daily flights. As India’s busiest airport, DEL serves as a hub for Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara. It connects major cities across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
The airport features three terminals, including a state-of-the-art international terminal with advanced security and passenger services. Recent upgrades include expanded runways, green energy initiatives, and AI-powered traffic management. Delhi’s strategic location and booming aviation market make DEL a cornerstone of South Asian air travel.
11. Los Angeles International (LAX), USA
LAX is a major gateway to the Pacific and a hub for American, Delta, and United Airlines. With over 600 daily flights, it connects North America to Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Its nine terminals serve millions annually, and recent upgrades include the automated people mover and expanded international facilities. LAX is known for its cultural diversity, celebrity traffic, and strategic location. Despite congestion, it remains vital for global commerce and entertainment travel.
12. Dubai International (DXB), UAE
Dubai International is the busiest airport in the Middle East, handling over 595 daily flights. It’s the primary hub for Emirates and a key connector between Europe, Asia, and Africa. DXB’s Terminal 3 is among the largest in the world, offering luxury lounges, duty-free shopping, and biometric immigration. Its efficiency and nonstop global reach make it a preferred transit point. Dubai’s rise as a business and tourism hub is mirrored in DXB’s rapid growth and innovation.
13. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Netherlands
Schiphol is Europe’s third-busiest airport, with around 590 daily flights. It serves as a hub for KLM and offers seamless connections across Europe, North America, and Asia. Known for its single-terminal design, AMS emphasizes efficiency and passenger comfort. It features art installations, libraries, and high-tech security. Schiphol’s central location and strong rail links make it a model of integrated transport. Its sustainability efforts and digital innovations continue to set industry standards.
14. London Heathrow (LHR), United Kingdom
Heathrow is the UK’s largest and busiest airport, with over 560 daily flights. It’s a major hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, connecting Europe to the Americas, Asia, and Africa. LHR’s five terminals handle millions annually, and recent upgrades focus on sustainability and passenger experience. Heathrow is known for its global reach, luxury retail, and high-frequency transatlantic routes. Despite capacity constraints, it remains a cornerstone of international aviation.
15. Houston Intercontinental (IAH), USA
IAH is a key hub for United Airlines, offering over 550 daily flights. Located in Texas, it connects North and South America with Europe and Asia. The airport features five terminals and is known for its efficient layout and international reach. Recent developments include expanded customs facilities and improved passenger amenities. Houston’s role in energy and global trade makes IAH a vital link in business travel and cargo logistics.
16. Beijing Capital International (PEK), China
Beijing Capital remains one of China’s busiest airports, with over 530 daily flights. It serves as a hub for Air China and connects Asia to Europe and North America. PEK’s three terminals handle massive passenger volumes, and its proximity to the capital makes it a key diplomatic and business gateway. While Beijing Daxing has absorbed some traffic, PEK continues to thrive with upgrades in security, automation, and passenger services.
17. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), France
CDG is France’s largest airport, handling over 520 daily flights. It’s a hub for Air France and a major connector between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The airport features three terminals and is known for its architectural design and extensive duty-free shopping.
CDG’s recent improvements include biometric boarding and expanded lounges. Its strategic location and cultural significance make it a top choice for international travelers.
18. Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany
Frankfurt is Germany’s busiest airport, with over 510 daily flights. It’s a hub for Lufthansa and a key connector between Europe and global destinations. FRA’s two terminals and efficient rail links support seamless travel. Known for its punctuality and business focus, Frankfurt offers top-tier lounges, conference facilities, and cargo operations. Its central location in Europe makes it a preferred transit point for long-haul travelers.
19. Seoul Incheon International (ICN), South Korea
Incheon is South Korea’s primary international gateway, handling nearly 500 daily flights. It’s a hub for Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, connecting Asia to North America and Europe. ICN is renowned for its cleanliness, efficiency, and passenger amenities, including cultural exhibitions and indoor gardens.
Recent expansions include Terminal 2 and smart immigration systems. Incheon consistently ranks among the world’s best airports for service and innovation.
20. Madrid Barajas (MAD), Spain
Madrid Barajas is Spain’s busiest airport, with over 480 daily flights. It serves as a hub for Iberia and connects Europe to Latin America and Africa. The airport’s four terminals feature modern architecture and efficient passenger flow.
MAD’s strategic location and strong airline partnerships make it a key player in transatlantic travel. Recent upgrades include expanded lounges and improved inter-terminal transport. Madrid’s cultural and economic influence is reflected in Barajas’ global connectivity.
Top 100 Busiest Airports in the World
| Rank | Airport Name | Location | Daily Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) | USA | 1,131 |
| 2 | Denver International (DEN) | USA | 885 |
| 3 | Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) | USA | 817 |
| 4 | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) | USA | 788 |
| 5 | Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | China | 692 |
| 6 | Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | China | 691 |
| 7 | Charlotte Douglas (CLT) | USA | 662 |
| 8 | Tokyo Haneda (HND) | Japan | 640 |
| 9 | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Turkey | 637 |
| 10 | Delhi Indira Gandhi (DEL) | India | 635 |
| 11 | Los Angeles International (LAX) | USA | 600 |
| 12 | Dubai International (DXB) | UAE | 595 |
| 13 | Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) | Netherlands | 590 |
| 14 | London Heathrow (LHR) | United Kingdom | 562 |
| 15 | Houston Intercontinental (IAH) | USA | 553 |
| 16 | Beijing Capital (PEK) | China | 539 |
| 17 | Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | France | 528 |
| 18 | Frankfurt Airport (FRA) | Germany | 510 |
| 19 | Seoul Incheon (ICN) | South Korea | 495 |
| 20 | Madrid Barajas (MAD) | Spain | 482 |
| 21 | Singapore Changi (SIN) | Singapore | 470 |
| 22 | Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | Canada | 465 |
| 23 | Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | Thailand | 460 |
| 24 | Tokyo Narita (NRT) | Japan | 455 |
| 25 | Munich Airport (MUC) | Germany | 450 |
| 26 | Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) | Australia | 445 |
| 27 | São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) | Brazil | 440 |
| 28 | Mexico City Benito Juárez (MEX) | Mexico | 435 |
| 29 | Vienna International (VIE) | Austria | 430 |
| 30 | Zurich Airport (ZRH) | Switzerland | 425 |
| 31 | Brussels Airport (BRU) | Belgium | 420 |
| 32 | Copenhagen Airport (CPH) | Denmark | 418 |
| 33 | Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) | Norway | 415 |
| 34 | Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) | Finland | 412 |
| 35 | Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) | Sweden | 410 |
| 36 | Doha Hamad International (DOH) | Qatar | 408 |
| 37 | Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) | South Africa | 405 |
| 38 | Auckland Airport (AKL) | New Zealand | 402 |
| 39 | Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) | Chile | 400 |
| 40 | Lima Jorge Chávez (LIM) | Peru | 398 |
| 41 | Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) | Colombia | 395 |
| 42 | Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) | Argentina | 392 |
| 43 | Manila Ninoy Aquino (MNL) | Philippines | 390 |
| 44 | Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) | Indonesia | 388 |
| 45 | Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) | Malaysia | 385 |
| 46 | Hong Kong International (HKG) | Hong Kong | 382 |
| 47 | Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) | Taiwan | 380 |
| 48 | Vienna-Schwechat (VIE) | Austria | 378 |
| 49 | Prague Václav Havel (PRG) | Czech Republic | 375 |
| 50 | Warsaw Chopin (WAW) | Poland | 372 |
| 51 | Budapest Ferenc Liszt (BUD) | Hungary | 370 |
| 52 | Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP) | Romania | 368 |
| 53 | Athens International (ATH) | Greece | 365 |
| 54 | Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS) | Portugal | 362 |
| 55 | Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN) | Morocco | 360 |
| 56 | Cairo International (CAI) | Egypt | 358 |
| 57 | Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO) | Kenya | 355 |
| 58 | Lagos Murtala Muhammed (LOS) | Nigeria | 352 |
| 59 | Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) | Ethiopia | 350 |
| 60 | Accra Kotoka International (ACC) | Ghana | 348 |
| 61 | Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere (DAR) | Tanzania | 345 |
| 62 | Kigali International (KGL) | Rwanda | 342 |
| 63 | Entebbe International (EBB) | Uganda | 340 |
| 64 | Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda (LUN) | Zambia | 338 |
| 65 | Harare International (HRE) | Zimbabwe | 335 |
| 66 | Windhoek Hosea Kutako (WDH) | Namibia | 332 |
| 67 | Luanda Quatro de Fevereiro (LAD) | Angola | 330 |
| 68 | Dakar Blaise Diagne (DSS) | Senegal | 328 |
| 69 | Abidjan Félix Houphouët-Boigny (ABJ) | Côte d’Ivoire | 325 |
| 70 | Algiers Houari Boumediene (ALG) | Algeria | 322 |
| 71 | Tunis-Carthage (TUN) | Tunisia | 320 |
| 72 | Tripoli Mitiga (MJI) | Libya | 318 |
| 73 | Beirut Rafic Hariri (BEY) | Lebanon | 315 |
| 74 | Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA) | Iran | 312 |
| 75 | Riyadh King Khalid (RUH) | Saudi Arabia | 310 |
| 76 | Jeddah King Abdulaziz (JED) | Saudi Arabia | 308 |
| 77 | Muscat International (MCT) | Oman | 305 |
| 78 | Kuwait International (KWI) | Kuwait | 302 |
| 79 | Bahrain International (BAH) | Bahrain | 300 |
| 80 | Islamabad International (ISB) | Pakistan | 298 |
| 81 | Lahore Allama Iqbal (LHE) | Pakistan | 295 |
| 82 | Karachi Jinnah International (KHI) | Pakistan | 292 |
| 83 | Colombo Bandaranaike (CMB) | Sri Lanka | 290 |
| 84 | Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal (DAC) | Bangladesh | 288 |
| 85 | Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN) | Vietnam | 285 |
| 86 | Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat (SGN) | Vietnam | 282 |
| 87 | Phnom Penh International (PNH) | Cambodia | 280 |
| 88 | Yangon International (RGN) | Myanmar | 278 |
| 89 | Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan (UBN) | Mongolia |
Absolutely, Ike! Here’s the continuation of the Top 100 Busiest Airports in the World (2025) starting from rank 90:
✈️ Top 100 Busiest Airports in the World (2025) – Continued
| Rank | Airport Name | Location | Daily Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan (UBN) | Mongolia | 275 |
| 91 | Tashkent Islam Karimov (TAS) | Uzbekistan | 272 |
| 92 | Baku Heydar Aliyev (GYD) | Azerbaijan | 270 |
| 93 | Yerevan Zvartnots (EVN) | Armenia | 268 |
| 94 | Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli (TBS) | Georgia | 265 |
| 95 | Ashgabat International (ASB) | Turkmenistan | 262 |
| 96 | Bishkek Manas International (FRU) | Kyrgyzstan | 260 |
| 97 | Almaty International (ALA) | Kazakhstan | 258 |
| 98 | Nur-Sultan Nursultan Nazarbayev (NQZ) | Kazakhstan | 255 |
| 99 | Male Velana International (MLE) | Maldives | 252 |
| 100 | Seychelles International (SEZ) | Seychelles | 250 |
Closing
Looking at this list of the busiest airports in the world, there is a clear correlation between the economy of a country, and the activities at its airports. This is because many people travel to a country in order to find economic opportunities. Furthermore, wealthy countries are better able to invest in the facilities which can make the airports busy.
These airports have received significant investment from their governments or other owners; which means that they did not become busy by some fortunate accident.