Incheon International Airport has emerged as the world’s leading airport for international passenger traffic during the first half of 2026, according to preliminary figures from the Airports Council International (ACI).
The South Korean aviation hub handled approximately 38.4 million international travellers between January and June, surpassing London’s Heathrow Airport, which recorded 37.79 million passengers.
Singapore Changi Airport placed third with 34.53 million.
Airport authorities attributed the sharp increase partly to changes in global travel patterns following the conflict involving the United States and Iran.
They said travellers who would previously have used major Middle Eastern transit centres, particularly Dubai, increasingly chose Incheon when connecting to European destinations.
Transfer traffic at the South Korean airport climbed by 18 percent compared with the corresponding period last year.
Passengers connecting through Incheon and ultimately travelling to Europe increased by 63.2 percent, reaching about 210,000.
Dubai International, which occupied second place in the global rankings in both 2024 and 2025 based on annual figures, is projected to drop out of the top five in the latest assessment.
Incheon has also strengthened its capacity through infrastructure development.
The airport, which began operations in 2001, currently connects South Korea with 158 international destinations.
By comparison, Hong Kong International Airport serves 139 destinations, Shanghai Pudong International Airport 92 and Tokyo Narita Airport 86.
Incheon International Airport Corporation acting president Kim Beom-ho credited government backing, public support and airport employees for the facility’s improved performance.
Kim said the corporation would continue enhancing the airport’s global standing by placing greater emphasis on passenger comfort and convenience.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong