HKIA rises to 8th busiest int'l airport but remains 14% below 2019 capacity

Despite recording the highest seat growth of any major hub in 2025, the facility is still chasing its pre-pandemic peak.

The Hong Kong International Airport recorded the largest year-on-year increase in capacity amongst the busiest international airports, with 38.7 million seats in 2025.

According to travel data platform OAG’s World's Busiest Airports of 2025, this reflects a 12% increase from last year, improving its ranking to eighth place from ninth in 2024.

Despite this strong recovery, it remains 14% below 2019 capacity levels.

The Dubai International Airport led the 2025 list of the world’s busiest international airports, with 62.4 million international seats, maintaining its long-standing lead from 2024, 2023 and 2019.

London Heathrow Airport followed with 49.0 million international seats, up 1% compared to 2024 and 4% above 2019 levels.

Seoul Incheon International Airport remained third with 43.0 million seats, a 3% increase compared to 2024 and now 2% above 2019 levels, signalling a full recovery in international travel at the airport.

The Singapore Changi Airport ranked fourth, with 42.6 million seats, a 3% year-on-year increase, bringing capacity back in line with 2019 levels.

Meanwhile, the Istanbul Airport reached 41.2 million international seats, a 7% increase from 2024. This saw the largest growth compared to 2019, up 27%.

Ranking ninth and tenth are the Frankfurt and Doha airports, with 36.4 million seats and 32.7 million seats, respectively.