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OAG data for September 2026 schedules placed Dubai International Airport first among international hubs with 4.34 million available seats on departing flights. The figure represents a total of 8.7 million seats when counting both arrival and departure directions. This ranking underscores the airport’s continued importance as a global transit point despite challenges in the broader region.
The aviation analytics firm reported London Heathrow in second position with approximately 4.07 million international seats followed by Seoul Incheon with 3.78 million. Amsterdam Schiphol, Istanbul, Singapore Changi, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Madrid rounded out the top 10 according to the OAG assessment. These capacities reflect varying levels of recovery and demand across major global gateways.
OAG figures show a 15 percent year-on-year decline in Dubai’s scheduled capacity from September 2025 levels.[[1]](https://www.oag.com/busiest-airports-world) The reduction stems from ongoing disruption linked to conflict in the Middle East that has affected some route operations. Nevertheless the airport maintained its lead over competing hubs that also registered mixed growth patterns.
Airport operational updates indicated that Dubai International handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half of 2026. Traffic showed progressive monthly increases through the second quarter rising from 3.5 million in April to 5 million in June. The gains came as airlines resumed services and connectivity improved across key markets.
OAG’s Middle East analysis placed overall regional capacity at 36 million seats for the month representing a 3.7 percent drop from the prior year.[[2]](https://www.oag.com/middle-east-aviation-data) Saudi Arabia emerged as the only major market in the region to record growth with a 4 percent increase. Dubai’s performance within this environment highlights its resilience as the dominant player in Gulf aviation.
Dubai International Airport has held the title of the world’s busiest airport for international passengers for more than a decade according to successive annual reports from industry bodies.[[3]](https://filipinotimes.net/latest-news/2026/07/25/dubai-tops-global-rankings-for-international-airline-seat-capacity-in-july/) The sustained leadership supports the emirate’s position as a vital link in global trade and tourism networks. Expanded operations by carriers such as Emirates have contributed to maintaining high capacity levels even amid external pressures.
