Incheon International Airport ranks No. 1 globally for international passenger traffic in the first half of the year, surpassing major hubs such as London Heathrow and Singapore Changi. The airport operator says Incheon handled 38.39 million international passengers in January–June, the highest figure among international airports worldwide.
The result marks the first time Incheon has claimed the top spot since it opened in 2001 and comes after a steady climb in recent years. One report says Incheon moved from 10th shortly after opening to fifth in 2018 and third in 2024 before reaching No. 1 this year. The ranking is based on international passenger counts compiled by Airports Council International, using data covering 1,234 airports.
Both outlets describe the same passenger totals and order: Incheon at 38.39 million, Heathrow at 37.79 million, and Changi at 34.53 million. They differ mainly in added context, including references to South Korea’s broader policy of developing Incheon as a regional aviation gateway and the timeline of Incheon’s rising positions.
