Incheon Airport Ranks 1st in International Passengers H1 2026

Thansettakij•Economy•5d ago

Reader Briefing

Incheon International Airport became the world's top airport for international passengers in the first half of 2026.

•Incheon International Airport ranked first globally in international passengers for the first half of 2026 with 38.4 million passengers.
•Airports Council International (ACI) compiled data from approximately 1,234 airports worldwide.
•Incheon International Airport surpassed Heathrow Airport and Changi Airport.
•Dubai International Airport fell out of the top five due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

•Incheon International Airport handled 38.4 million international passengers in the first half of 2026, ranking first globally.
•Heathrow Airport ranked second with 37.79 million international passengers, and Changi Airport ranked third with 34.53 million.
•Incheon International Airport's rise was supported by an increase in foreign tourists and the shift of transit passengers from the Middle East to Asia.
•Geopolitical conflicts between the United States and Iran led some passengers to divert from Middle Eastern hubs to Incheon International Airport.
•Transit passengers at Incheon International Airport increased by 18.1% from the previous year to 4.24 million people.
•The phase 4 expansion of Incheon International Airport was completed in November 2024, allowing a capacity of 106 million international passengers per year.
•Incheon International Airport currently connects 183 cities in 53 countries through 101 airlines.
•Incheon International Airport International Corporation (IIAC) is investing in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and urban air mobility systems.

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Airports Council International(สภาสมาคมท่าอากาศยานระหว่างประเทศ)ℹ️

The organization that reported international passenger statistics from approximately 1,234 airports worldwide.

Incheon International Airport Corporation(บริษัทท่าอากาศยานอินชอน อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล)ℹ️

The organization (IIAC) managing Incheon International Airport.

Incheon International Airport(สนามบินนานาชาติอินชอน)ℹ️

The airport in South Korea that ranked first in international passengers in the first half of 2026.

Heathrow Airport(สนามบินฮีทโธรว์)ℹ️

An airport in England that was surpassed by Incheon International Airport in passenger numbers.

Changi Airport(สนามบินชางงี)ℹ️

A Southeast Asian aviation hub in Singapore that maintained continuous growth.

Dubai International Airport(สนามบินนานาชาติดูไบ)ℹ️

An airport that fell out of the top five rankings due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Hong Kong International Airport(สนามบินฮ่องกง)ℹ️

An airport that connects 139 cities and has one of the top three passenger capacities in the world.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport(สนามบินเซี่ยงไฮ้ผู่ตง)ℹ️

An airport that connects 92 cities.

Narita International Airport(สนามบินนาริตะ)ℹ️

An airport that connects 86 cities.

Kim Bom-ho(คิม บอม-โฮ)

The Acting President of Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC).