Dubai International stays world’s busiest airport as Sydney Airport traffic grows

Dubai International Airport retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for international travel, with airlines scheduling 4.54 million seats in August 2024—a 4.4 % month‑on‑month increase, adding about 190,000 seats, according to OAG data. The airport handled 95.2 million passengers in 2025, a 3.1 % rise, and 18.6 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, underscoring its role as a global aviation hub.

Sydney Airport reported that passenger volumes in the first half of 2026 were ahead of 2025 levels, with 20.7 million travelers passing through the airport. International traffic rose 2.1 % to 8.44 million passengers and domestic traffic grew 1.0 % to 12.29 million. Growth in Asian markets, especially Guangzhou, offset the impact of Middle East disruptions on Europe‑bound routes. CEO Scott Charlton highlighted the airport’s resilience and the diversity of its destination network, noting improved security and immigration processing times.