Busiest Airports in the Middle East
The Middle East is home to some of the world’s busiest and most strategically important airports. These airports are central hubs for international travel, cargo transport, and regional connectivity.
These airports link Asia, Europe, and Africa with their state-of-the-art infrastructure and extensive global networks.
Key Factors Driving the Growth of the Busiest Airports in the Middle East
- Strategic Location – Ideal for long-haul connections
- Rapidly Expanding Airlines – Carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad dominate global aviation.
- Modern Infrastructure – Cutting-edge terminals and world-class passenger services
- Growing Tourism & Business Travel – Major events like Expo 2020 Dubai and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 have boosted air traffic.
Read: Busiest Airports in the UK
Busiest Airports in the Middle East
The Middle East is home to some of the world’s busiest and most strategically important airports. Due to its central location between Europe, Asia, and Africa, the region has become a significant hub for international air travel, connecting millions of passengers and facilitating global trade.
These airports include:
Dubai International Airport
- Location: Al Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Founding Date: 1960
- Area of Operations: Dubai
- Owner/Operator: Dubai Airports Company
- 2024 Total Passengers: 92.3 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: 269 destinations across 106 countries
- Main Airlines: Emirates (flag carrier and largest operator), Fly Dubai
- Website: Dubai Airport
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the busiest airport in the Middle East and one of the world’s largest aviation hubs. Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, DXB handled approximately 92 million passengers in 2024. Its strategic location also makes it a key connecting point for travel between Asia, Europe, and other regions. Furthermore, DXB is consistently ranked among the world’s busiest airports in terms of international passenger traffic.
Istanbul Airport
- Location: Arnavutköy District, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Founding Date: 2019
- Owner/Operator: İGA (Istanbul Grand Airport)
- 2024 Total Passengers: 79.9 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: One (1) operational terminal
- Total Destinations: 314 destinations in 117 countries
- Main Airlines: Turkish Airlines (flag carrier and largest operator), Qatar Airways, Emirates, Pegasus Airlines
- Website: istanbulhavalimani.com
Istanbul Airport recorded around 79.9 million travelers in 2024, making it the 2nd busiest airport in the Middle East and Europe. The airport has grown rapidly due to its strategic location, serving as a bridge connecting destinations between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. However, rapid growth has led to occasional congestion and delays during peak hours. The airport is being developed in phases. When fully completed, it will have the capacity to serve over 200 million passengers annually, making it the largest in the world by passenger capacity.
Hamad International Airport
- Location: Doha, Qatar
- Founding Date: 2014
- Area of Operations: Qatar
- Owner/Operator: Qatar Civil Aviation Authority
- 2024 Total Passengers: 52.7 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: One (1) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: 197 destinations
- Main Airlines: Qatar Airways (flag carrier and largest operator)
- Website: Hamad Airport
Hamad International Airport (DOH) is the leading international gateway to Qatar and one of the busiest and premier airports in the Middle East. It opened in 2014 in Doha, it is the primary hub for Qatar Airways, connecting passengers to destinations all over the world. In addition, it serves as a major gateway for travel to the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and beyond. Hamad International Airport has garnered several awards, including “Best Airport in the Middle East” and “Best Airport in the World.“
King Abdulaziz International Airport
- Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Founding Date: 1981
- Area of Operations: Jeddah and Mecca
- Owner/Operator:
- Jeddah Airports Company
- Royal Saudi Air Force
- 2024 Total Passengers: 49.1 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: 175 destinations across 60 countries
- Main Airlines: Flyadeal, Flynas, Saudia
- Website: Jeddah Airport
King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. It is a central hub for international flights and the main gateway for pilgrims travelling to Mecca for the Hajj and Umrah. It is also the busiest airport in the kingdom and a hub for Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal. The airport is named after King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
- Location: Pendik, Türkiye
- Founding Date: 2001
- Area of Operations: Istanbul
- Owner: HEAŞ (Airport Management & Aeronautical Industries Inc)
- Operator: Malaysia Airports
- 2024 Total Passengers: 41.5 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: One (1) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: 145 destinations across 49 countries
- Main Airlines: AJet and Pegasus Airlines
- Website: Sabiha Gökçen
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is one of Istanbul’s two main airports, located on the Asian side of the city in Pendik. It is the 5th busiest airport in the Middle East. Launched in 2001, it was named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world’s first female fighter pilot and the adopted daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. As Turkey’s second busiest airport, SAW is a key hub for low-cost airlines like Pegasus Airlines and AJet. It offers flights to over 145 destinations across 49 countries. It mainly handles domestic and regional international flights, complementing Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side.
Antalya Airport
- Location: Antalya, Türkiye
- Founding Date: 1960
- Area of Operations: Istanbul
- Owner: General Directorate of State Airports (DHMİ)
- Operator: Fraport TAV Antalya Airport Terminal A.S.
- 2024 Total Passengers: 41.5 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: four (4) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: 141 destinations across 44 countries
- Main Airlines: Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, Turkish Airlines, AJet, Corendon Airlines
- Website: Antalya Airport
Antalya Airport is the primary international airport serving Antalya, Türkiye, a central tourism hub on the Mediterranean coast. It is one of Turkey’s busiest airports, especially during the summer when millions of tourists visit the region. Thus, the airport is a gateway to Turkey’s southern coast, attracting millions of tourists from Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. It also serves major airlines with direct flights across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
King Khalid International Airport
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Founding Date: 1983
- Area of Operations: Riyadh
- Owner & Operator: Riyadh Airports Company
- 2024 Total Passengers: 37 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: five (5) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: 111 destinations across 44 countries
- Main Airlines: Flynas, flyadeal, Riyadh Air, Saudia
- Website: King Khalid International Airport
King Khalid International Airport is the main airport serving Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and one of the busiest in the Middle East. Opened in 1983, it is a key hub for domestic and international travel, connecting Saudi Arabia to major cities worldwide.
Zayed International Airport
- Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Founding Date: 1982
- Area of Operations: Abu Dhabi
- Owner & Operator: Abu Dhabi Airports Company
- 2024 Total Passengers: 29.4 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: 117 destinations across 56 countries
- Main Airlines: Etihad Airways, Etihad Cargo, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
- Website: Zayed Airport
Zayed International Airport is the primary international airport serving Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the second busiest airport in the UAE after Dubai International Airport and one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. It is the hub for Etihad Airways and an operating base for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.
Cairo International Airport
- Location: Heliopolis, Cairo
- Founding Date: 1963
- Area of Operations: Greater Cairo
- Owner: Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation
- Operator: Cairo Airport Company
- 2024 Total Passengers: 27.7 million
- Runways: Three (3) runways
- Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: 125 destinations across 62 countries
- Main Airlines: Egyptair, Nile Air, Air Cairo, Air Arabia Egypt
- Website: Cairo Airport
Cairo International Airport (CAI) is Egypt’s largest and busiest airport, serving as a key aviation hub for Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Located in Heliopolis, northeast of downtown Cairo, it is millions of passengers’ primary gateway to Egypt annually.
Notable Mentions
- Kuwait International Airport: Kuwait City, Kuwait; 20 million passengers
- Sharjah International Airport: Sharjah, UAE; 17.1 million passengers
- David Ben Gurion International Airport: Central District, Israel.
