The airport’s latest figures include 4.47 million scheduled departing seats, reflecting strong international flight demand.
Dubai International Airport has retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for scheduled international flights in November, with airlines offering approximately 8.94 million seats in both directions.
According to aviation data provider OAG, the airport recorded 4.47 million scheduled departing international seats during the month, maintaining its lead despite a 16% decline in capacity compared with November 2025.
Dubai International remained ahead of London’s Heathrow Airport, which ranked second with 3.79 million international seats. The gap between the two airports stood at nearly 680,000 seats.
Top 10 Busiest Airports for International Seat Capacity
The latest OAG figures placed major aviation hubs across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East among the world’s busiest airports for scheduled international capacity.
| Rank | Airport | International seats |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubai International | 4.47 million departing |
| 2 | London Heathrow | 3.79 million |
| 3 | Seoul Incheon | 3.70 million |
| 4 | Singapore Changi | 3.58 million |
| 5 | Amsterdam Schiphol | 3.25 million |
| 6 | Hong Kong International | 3.19 million |
| 7 | Istanbul Airport | 3.16 million |
| 8 | Paris Charles de Gaulle | 3.08 million |
| 9 | Bangkok Suvarnabhumi | 2.82 million |
| 10 | Frankfurt Airport | 2.65 million |
The figures represent scheduled airline seat capacity on international services, not the actual number of passengers who travelled.
Dubai Airport Maintains Its Lead Despite Capacity Decline
Dubai International’s position at the top of the international rankings comes despite a year-on-year reduction in scheduled seat capacity.
The airport also ranked fourth globally for total scheduled capacity, including domestic flights. It was behind airports in Atlanta, Chicago, and Tokyo.
Its international position reflects Dubai’s role as a major connecting hub between Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Emirates and Flydubai Support Dubai’s Global Connectivity
Dubai International serves as the main hub for Emirates and Flydubai, both of which operate extensive international networks connecting the emirate with destinations worldwide.
Flights operated by other international carriers also contribute to the airport’s strong position in global aviation rankings.
The latest figures underline the scale of scheduled international connectivity through Dubai, with the airport continuing to lead its competitors in available international seats despite lower capacity than a year earlier.
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Source: Gulf News
