According to recent data, Incheon, South Korea, is now the busiest airport in the world for international passenger traffic for the first time.
According to preliminary figures from the Airports Council International, Incheon International Airport, the primary entry point to South Korea, handled 38.4 million foreign travelers during the first half of this year.
With 37.79 million passengers, London Heathrow Airport came in second, followed by Changi Airport in Singapore with 34.53 million.
Passenger Shifts Help Incheon Airport Reach No. 1
Due in part to the dispute between the United States and Iran, travelers from Middle Eastern aviation hubs were diverted to Incheon’s airport.
Based on full-year statistics, Dubai International Airport was rated second in both 2024 and 2025; this time, it is predicted to be outside of the top five.
According to the airport company, some travelers who previously passed by Dubai on their way to Europe are now using Incheon, contributing to an 18% increase in transfer passengers from the same time last year.
It also reported a 63.2% increase to 210,000 transfer passengers whose final destinations were in Europe.
According to the company, the infrastructural development also made it possible for the airport to handle more traffic. 158 foreign destinations are served by Incheon, which opened in 2001.
By contrast, 139 destinations are served by Hong Kong’s International Airport, 92 by Shanghai’s Pudong, and 86 by Tokyo’s Narita.
Changing Travel Routes Boost Incheon Airport Traffic
Kim Beom-ho, acting president of the Incheon airport company, stated, “We’re grateful for the [South Korean] government’s support, the public’s encouragement, and the hard work of everyone stationed at the airport in making Incheon the world’s No. 1 airport.”
Kim noted that the company intended to increase its competitiveness by emphasizing passenger convenience.
