Dubai Airport Sets New Passenger Traffic Record

But Atlanta and Chicago Airports Still Vie for Title of World's Busiest

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Dubai International Airport set a new record in 2025 with 95.2 million international passengers, the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport. However, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport are still contending for the title of world's busiest airport based on overall passenger traffic and flight operations.

Why it matters

The title of world's busiest airport is a highly coveted distinction that can impact an airport's global reputation, tourism, and economic activity. While Dubai has set a new record for international passengers, the competition remains fierce between major hubs in the U.S. and abroad to claim the top spot.

The details

Dubai International Airport saw double-digit growth in passenger traffic from countries like China, Russia, Egypt, and Italy in 2025, leading to the new record of 95.2 million international passengers. However, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reported 108 million total passengers in 2024, still the highest in the world. Meanwhile, Chicago O'Hare International Airport declared itself America's busiest airport in January 2026 based on preliminary FAA data for takeoffs and landings, though its overall passenger count was still lower than Atlanta's.

  • Dubai International Airport set its new record of 95.2 million international passengers in 2025.
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport saw 108 million total passengers in 2024.
  • In January 2026, Chicago O'Hare International Airport declared itself America's busiest airport based on preliminary FAA operations data.

The players

Dubai Airports

The organization that operates Dubai International Airport, which just set a new record for highest annual international passenger traffic.

Paul Griffiths

The CEO of Dubai Airports, who cited growing markets like China and Russia as contributing to the airport's record passenger numbers.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

An airport in the United States that has long been considered the world's busiest based on overall passenger traffic, reporting 108 million passengers in 2024.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

An airport in the United States that declared itself America's busiest in January 2026 based on preliminary FAA data for takeoffs and landings, though its overall passenger count was still lower than Atlanta's.

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What they’re saying

“We've had some pretty good growing markets...and those, I think, are the markets where there's going to be considerable potential.”

— Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports (Reuters)

What’s next

Final passenger traffic numbers for 2025 and 2026 are still pending for the major airports, so the competition for the title of world's busiest airport remains ongoing.

The takeaway

The race to be named the world's busiest airport is a closely watched metric in the aviation industry, with major hubs in the U.S. and abroad vying for the prestigious distinction based on different measures of passenger traffic and flight operations.