Incheon airport has moved ahead of Dubai to become the world’s busiest airport for international passengers in the first half of 2026, as the war in Iran disrupts travel through the Middle East and pushes more passengers towards direct routes between Europe and Asia.
South Korea’s main international hub handled 38.4 million international passengers between January and June, according to figures released by the airport. That puts Incheon ahead of London Heathrow and Singapore Changi, which have traditionally ranked among the world’s leading international airports.
Incheon was the third-busiest airport for international passengers in 2025, behind Dubai and Heathrow. Changi, Amsterdam Schiphol and Istanbul’s IGA airport followed.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson remains the world’s busiest airport overall, although its position is largely driven by domestic traffic.
Preliminary figures from Airports Council International, cited by Incheon on Thursday, show that Dubai has dropped sharply in the international rankings after passenger numbers plunged following the outbreak of the Iran conflict. ACI said the figures remain subject to final validation and that the organisation will publish its official data next month.
War reshapes Middle East air traffic
Dubai’s airport was effectively closed for several days after the conflict began in late February. Emirates resumed operations within days, but passenger traffic through the Gulf hub has yet to return to prewar levels.
ACI figures showed international passenger numbers at Dubai falling from 7.4 million in February to just 2.5 million in March. Traffic has since recovered gradually, reaching about 4.7 million international passengers in June.
The disruption has also altered the way passengers travel between Europe and Asia. Airlines in both regions have reported more passengers choosing direct flights rather than connecting through major Middle Eastern hubs.
Incheon has emerged as one of the main beneficiaries of that shift. More passengers are now flying directly to South Korea before connecting onward to other destinations in Asia.
The number of passengers travelling from Europe to Incheon to catch connecting flights increased by about two-thirds in the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2025, according to the airport.
“As the transfer function of Middle Eastern airports such as Dubai was weakened by the US-Iran conflict, existing air travel demand centred on Dubai — including routes between Dubai and Europe — shifted toward direct and connecting services through Incheon Airport,” the airport said.
Tourism boom adds to growth
Incheon’s rise has also been supported by strong growth in South Korea’s tourism sector. Visitor numbers from China and Japan have increased, while Korean popular culture continues to attract international audiences.
The global popularity of Korean entertainment, including the film “KPop Demon Hunters”, has helped reinforce the country’s appeal, alongside the continued expansion of its technology and beauty industries.
Air connectivity has also expanded. Virgin Atlantic began operating flights between London Heathrow and Incheon this year, creating another direct link between Europe and South Korea.
Incheon invests in transit passengers
Opened in 2001, Incheon has spent years developing its facilities to strengthen its position as a major transfer hub between Europe and Asia.
The airport has added services designed specifically for passengers with long connections, including an in-terminal hotel and a 24-hour sauna. Passengers can also use free sleeping areas, visit a museum or receive assistance from robots designed to help travellers find their way around the terminal.
The latest rankings highlight how quickly geopolitical disruptions can reshape global aviation flows. Dubai’s position has been built in large part around its role as a connecting point between Europe, Asia and other regions. But with that hub function weakened by the conflict, Incheon has benefited from passengers choosing alternative routes across the two continents.
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