Dubai International Airport (DXB) continues to soar to new heights, leading all global airports in scheduled airline seat capacity this April. According to the latest figures from aviation data provider OAG, the airport scheduled over 10 million seats for international travel — more than 5 million in each direction making it the busiest airport in the world for international flights.
This achievement builds on a strong start to 2025. Over the first four months of the year, DXB handled approximately 20.24 million outbound seats, and when inbound flights are included, the total surpasses 40 million. That’s a 3.3% increase compared to the same period last year — a clear sign that the airport’s growth is not slowing down anytime soon.
Seat capacity in April alone rose by 2.5% year-on-year, thanks to the addition of new airline partners, more destinations, and increased frequency on high-demand routes. These gains reflect Dubai’s rising influence as a global aviation hub, fueled by robust tourism, business travel, and expanding global connections.
Matar Al Tayer, a senior official from the airport’s overseeing authority, noted that the continuous growth is no accident — it’s the result of strategic partnerships, infrastructure investment, and a consistent focus on enhancing the passenger experience.
Dubai’s dominance was further underlined when comparing its figures with other top global airports. London Heathrow came in second in international seat volume, followed by Singapore Changi, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Seoul Incheon. When domestic and international seats were combined, DXB ranked just behind Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson but ahead of Tokyo Haneda and London Heathrow.
In 2024, DXB welcomed a record-breaking 92.3 million travelers. its highest annual total ever, surpassing the 2018 record of 89.1 million. Today, the airport connects to 272 destinations in 107 countries, operated by 106 international airlines — a testament to Dubai’s unmatched global reach.
With numbers continuing to climb, Dubai International isn’t just maintaining its position at the top it’s setting the pace for the entire aviation world.
