South Korea Airport Becomes World’s Busiest Amid Iran War

South Korea’s Incheon airport handled 38.39 million international passengers in the first half of 2026, capturing the top spot globally according to preliminary figures compiled by the Airports Council International (ACI). The gateway, located about 30 miles west of Seoul, outpaced London Heathrow and Singapore Changi amid regional Middle East transport shifts caused by the Iran war.

Global Rankings and Passenger Volumes

According to preliminary figures compiled by the Airports Council International (ACI), Incheon handled 38.39 million international passengers in the first half of 2026. London Heathrow ranked second with 37.79 million international travelers, followed by Changi Airport in Singapore with 34.53 million, based on the trade body data.

This marks the first time Incheon has topped the international passenger rankings since opening in 2001. The facility ranked 10th globally in 2002, climbed to fifth by 2018, and reached third place in both 2024 and 2025.

Impact of Middle East Conflict on Transit Routes

Part of the increase was attributed to disruption caused by the US-Iran conflict, which weakened the role of Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai and diverted some transfer traffic to alternative routes through east Asia, according to the Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.

London Heathrow experienced a parallel shift. While Heathrow recorded 40 million total passengers—including domestic travelers—in its busiest first half on record, capacity to the Middle East fell 16.5% owing to the regional conflict, according to airport figures. Meanwhile, Heathrow’s passenger traffic to the Asia-Pacific region rose 7.9%.

Rise in Foreign Visitors from China and Japan

Incheon’s overall international passenger traffic climbed 6.3% year on year, driven largely by an influx of foreign visitors. Foreigners accounted to 39.3% of Incheon’s passengers in the first half of the year, up from 35.2% across all of 2025.

Local media reported that the proportion hit a record 44.4% in the second quarter. The IIAC attributed this growth primarily to rising numbers of travelers arriving from China and Japan.

Airport Infrastructure and Capacity

Incheon’s climb in the rankings coincides with major infrastructure growth. A four-phase expansion project completed in late 2024 increased the airport’s annual capacity to 106 million passengers.

The hub currently serves 101 airlines flying to 183 cities, which includes 158 international passenger destinations. Commenting on the milestone, IIAC acting president Kim Beom-ho stated that the ranking reflected “the support of the government, the public’s encouragement and the hard work of everyone stationed at the airport.”

European Hub Comparison

In Europe, airport competition remains tight. Istanbul overtook Heathrow as Europe’s busiest airport by total passenger numbers earlier this week. July data published showed 7.9 million passengers passing through Heathrow’s terminals, compared with 8.15 million at Istanbul.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airport is currently the busiest in the world for international passengers?

Incheon International Airport in South Korea ranked as the busiest for international passengers in the first half of 2026, handling 38.39 million travelers, according to Airports Council International.

Why did Incheon’s international passenger numbers increase?

Growth was driven by a 6.3% year-on-year rise in traffic, an increase in visitors from China and Japan, and shifted transfer traffic resulting from conflict-related disruptions at Middle Eastern hubs, according to IIAC.

What is the capacity of Incheon airport following recent expansions?

Following the completion of a four-phase expansion in late 2024, Incheon’s annual capacity reached 106 million passengers.