Sunday, June 15, 2025
Southeast Asia has firmly established itself as a key aviation hub in recent years, with airports across the region showing impressive growth in passenger traffic as 2025 unfolds. This resurgence is a testament to the region’s swift recovery post-pandemic and its ever-expanding role in global air travel. Let’s explore the 10 busiest airports in Southeast Asia, highlighting what makes them stand out.
1. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Singapore Changi Airport holds its position as the busiest airport in Southeast Asia with 3.59 million passengers recorded in May 2025. Changi continues to thrive thanks to its exceptional connectivity and passenger-focused services, making it one of the top airports worldwide. Located at a strategic crossroads between East and West, Changi acts as a vital transit hub for international travel. The recovery of air traffic following Singapore’s aggressive reopening efforts and strong demand from markets like India, China, and Australia have further solidified Changi’s dominance.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 3.59 million
- Strategic role: Gateway between East and West
- Rebounding demand: Strong recovery from key markets
2. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport ranks second with 3.23 million passengers in May 2025. This growth has been driven by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Batik Air Malaysia, all of which have resumed frequent flights across Southeast Asia and South Asia. KUL’s unique advantage lies in its positioning as a low-cost transit hub, making it particularly attractive to budget travelers. Continued upgrades to its terminals are helping the airport handle increasing traffic from both outbound Malaysian travelers and inbound tourists from China and the Middle East.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 3.23 million
- Low-cost hub: Attractive for budget airlines
- Market demand: Boost from Chinese and Middle Eastern tourists
3. Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK)
With 3.14 million passengers, Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport secures the third spot. Serving as Indonesia’s primary international gateway, CGK handles a vast amount of domestic traffic, crucial for the country’s archipelagic geography. Airlines like Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, and Lion Air have been ramping up operations, catering to both domestic travelers and those flying from international destinations, particularly Australia and China. As Indonesia’s economy continues to grow, so does the demand for air travel, positioning CGK for continued success.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 3.14 million
- Role: Major international gateway
- Market demand: Strong traffic from China and Australia
4. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport ranks fourth, handling 3.11 million passengers in May 2025. This airport is central to Thailand’s vibrant tourism industry, which has seen a remarkable recovery, particularly from travelers coming from China, Russia, and Europe. Thai Airways and other regional carriers like Thai VietJet have significantly boosted their flight schedules to meet the surge in demand. Suvarnabhumi’s central location in Southeast Asia also enhances its role as a key regional connector.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 3.11 million
- Tourism boost: Strong recovery from China, Russia, and Europe
- Role: Key regional connector
5. Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)
Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the fifth-busiest, with 2.78 million passengers. The Philippines’ large diaspora and remittance-driven economy ensure high passenger volumes, particularly for outbound flights to destinations like the Middle East and North America. Airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia Philippines have maintained frequent domestic and international services. Despite congestion issues at the airport, its importance as a central travel hub remains significant.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 2.78 million
- Demand drivers: Overseas Filipino workers and strong remittance economy
- Challenges: Ongoing congestion issues
6. Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport saw 2.24 million passengers in the latest count, making it one of the busiest airports in the region. With the support of carriers like Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways, SGN has been expanding its reach in both domestic and regional travel. The airport’s growth is closely tied to Vietnam’s booming economy and a rapidly growing tourism industry. However, with capacity limits looming, the development of the new Long Thanh International Airport is set to handle the future demand.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 2.24 million
- Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways
- Future growth: Long Thanh International Airport development
7. Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport comes in seventh with 1.78 million passengers. As the secondary hub for Vietnam Airlines, it is increasingly attracting more international carriers. The airport’s growth is driven by strong domestic travel, alongside rising international traffic, particularly from Korea and Japan. With government investments in infrastructure and regional connectivity improvements, HAN is expected to experience further growth.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 1.78 million
- Growth drivers: Domestic market and international carriers
- Government investment: Infrastructure and regional expansion
8. Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)
Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok’s secondary airport, ranks eighth with 1.65 million passengers. It serves as the main base for low-cost carriers such as Thai AirAsia and Nok Air. The airport’s strong performance is reflective of the boom in Southeast Asia’s low-cost travel market. While its facilities may not be as modern as Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang remains a crucial player in Bangkok’s dual-airport system, particularly for regional flights.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 1.65 million
- Low-cost hub: Base for Thai AirAsia and Nok Air
- Importance: Key part of Bangkok’s dual-airport system
9. Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)
Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport ranks ninth, handling 1.31 million passengers. Bali continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations in Asia, attracting tourists from Australia, India, and Europe. The island’s booming tourism sector, along with increased flight services from airlines like Garuda Indonesia and AirAsia, has spurred the airport’s growth.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 1.31 million
- Tourism focus: Major international tourist destination
- Airlines: Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar, AirAsia
10. Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG)
Makassar’s Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport rounds out the top 10 with 979,000 passengers. As a regional hub in Eastern Indonesia, it handles significant domestic traffic, especially for flights to smaller cities. While not a major international gateway, UPG plays an important role in the country’s aviation network, supported by carriers like Lion Air and Wings Air.
- Key highlights:
- Passenger traffic: 979,000
- Role: Regional hub for Eastern Indonesia
- Airlines: Lion Air, Wings Air
Parting Thoughts
The busiest airports in Southeast Asia list highlights the region’s aviation resurgence. As demand for air travel soars, these airports are evolving to meet the growing needs of international and domestic passengers. With continuous investments in infrastructure and traveler services, Southeast Asia’s airports are well-positioned to remain key players in global aviation.
