South Korea’s Incheon International Airport is set to take the top spot as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers in 2026, ending Dubai International Airport’s 12-year reign, according to CN Traveller.
Incheon International Airport/By: Olga Pak/iStock Editorial
Preliminary figures from Airports Council International (ACI), reported by Condé Nast Traveller Middle East, show that Incheon handled 38.4 million international passengers during the first six months of the year. The figures are still awaiting confirmation in ACI’s World Airport Traffic Report, due next month.
Incheon moves into first place
The Seoul-area airport has seen a sharp rise in international traffic this year, helped by its growing role as a global transit hub.
Incheon recorded an 18% increase in transfer passengers in the first half of 2026. Changes to flight routes and airspace restrictions in the Gulf have also redirected some travellers who would previously have connected through Dubai.
The airport’s expansion, completed in 2024, has further boosted its capacity. Incheon now serves 101 airlines flying to 158 international destinations, according to the airport.
South Korea’s growing popularity as a tourism destination has also helped drive demand. From K-pop and Korean dramas to food, fashion and beauty, the country’s cultural influence has attracted increasing numbers of international visitors.
Incheon has steadily climbed the rankings, moving from fifth in 2018 to third in both 2024 and 2025 before reaching the top of the preliminary 2026 figures.
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Dubai’s long-running reign comes to an end
Dubai International Airport has dominated international passenger traffic for the past 12 years. In 2025, it handled 95.2 million international passengers, retaining the title for the 12th consecutive year.
However, passenger numbers have been affected by major changes to flight routes and airspace restrictions following the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict in February.
According to ACI data cited by Condé Nast Traveller Middle East, Dubai’s international passenger numbers dropped from 7.4 million in February to 2.5 million in March.
The airport is now expected to fall outside the top five for 2026, although its position could change once full-year figures are confirmed.
Heathrow and Changi also rank highly
London Heathrow is currently on course to take second place, with 37.79 million international passengers recorded during the first six months of 2026.
Singapore Changi follows in third, recording 34.53 million international passengers during the same period.
For travellers, the shifting rankings offer a snapshot of how quickly global aviation can change. Airport expansions, new routes, changing travel trends and geopolitical events can all reshape the world’s major flight hubs within a matter of months.
With Gulf airspace restrictions still in place, it remains uncertain when traffic through Dubai and other regional hubs will return to previous levels. Condé Nast Traveller Middle East reports that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s conflict-zone advisory for the Gulf has been extended until 31 August.
Source: Condé Nast Traveller Middle East, 17 August 2026.
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