The aviation sector is increasingly prioritizing sustainability, aligning its operations with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and recognizing airports as critical nodes in this transition. This research investigates how globally ranked international airports integrate sustainability into their operations while addressing challenges unique to their scale and complexity. Drawing from an extensive review of 60 research papers published between 2015 and 2024, the analysis categorizes findings into eight thematic areas, exploring frameworks, policies, technologies, and regional practices shaping sustainability in the airport sector. The research synthesizes insights from case studies and systematic reviews to evaluate alignment with Sustainable Development Goals, energy management, green technologies, and socio-economic dimensions. The adoption of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and circular economy principles demonstrates significant potential to reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency, although challenges such as funding limitations, regulatory barriers, and cost implications persist. Emerging trends, such as the adoption of hydrogen fuel, blockchain for supply chain transparency, and advanced AI-driven systems, show substantial potential but require further research and scalable applications. The research underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, innovative technologies, and robust policy frameworks to ensure airports effectively contribute to the global sustainability agenda. By identifying best practices, barriers, and opportunities, this exploratory analysis emphasizes the need for aligning operational advancements with global sustainability goals to secure the long-term viability and environmental responsibility of airports worldwide.