Incheon International Airport took the top spot in international passenger traffic in the first half of the year, surpassing London's Heathrow Airport and Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport, also known as Hong Kong International Airport. According to the Airports Council International, or ACI, on the 12th, Incheon International Airport handled 18.76 million international passengers in the first half of this year. Heathrow Airport, which ranked first in the first half of last year, fell to second place with 17.92 million passengers, and Hong Kong International Airport ranked third with 17.63 million passengers. Incheon International Airport ranked third in 2019 and 2020, and second in 2021 and 2022. The number of international passengers at Incheon International Airport in the first half of this year increased by 47% compared to the same period last year. The ACI compiles and analyzes airport traffic statistics every year and releases rankings for airports around the world. 인천국제공항이 올해 상반기 국제선 여객 실적에서 세계 1위에 올랐다. 인천국제공항은 12일 공항 관련 국제 통계기구인 에어포트스 카운슬 인터내셔널(ACI)에 따르면 올해 상반기 국제선 여객 1천876만 명을 유치했다고 밝혔다. 이는 지난해 상반기 1천272만 명보다 47% 증가한 수치다. 지난해 상반기 국제선 여객 1위를 차지했던 런던 히드로 공항은 1천792만 명으로 2위에 그쳤고, 3위는 홍콩 국제공항(1천763만 명)이 차지했다. 인천국제공항은 2019년과 2020년 3위, 2021년과 2022년 2위에 오른 바 있다. ACI는 매년 공항 관련 통계를 집계·분석하고 전 세계 공항 순위를 발표하고 있다.

Seoul's Incheon International Airport claimed the top spot among global international airports in the first half of 2026, handling 38.39 million passengers, according to the airport's report on the 13th. This marks the airport's global ranking of number one since its opening. London's Heathrow Airport came in second with 37.79 million passengers, while Singapore's Changi Airport secured the third position with 34.53 million passengers.

Airport passenger statistics are a key indicator for evaluating an airport's global competitiveness. Incheon Airport's ranking as the world's leader in international passengers was attributed to the surge in passengers following the start of the Middle East crisis, which caused a drop in passenger numbers at major airports like Dubai and Hong Kong.

Compared to the same period last year, Incheon Airport's international passenger volume increased by 6.3%, reaching 36.12 million. The number of connecting passengers soared by 18.1%, reaching 424,500, compared to the same period last year. Passenger numbers from Europe surged by 63.2%, with 21.4 million passengers. Passenger numbers from China and Japan, which primarily consist of transit tourists, also contributed to the increase in passengers.

In the first half of the year, the overall passenger volume at Incheon Airport recorded the highest percentage of foreign tourists, at 44.4%, the highest ever. Incheon Airport's management attributes its top ranking to infrastructure expansion and the establishment of the highest level of aviation network. Since opening, the airport has continued to expand its infrastructure in phases, and in November 2024, it completed the fourth phase, enabling it to handle up to 160 million passengers annually, placing it in the top three globally.

With 158 international routes to 139 cities in Hong Kong, 92 in Shanghai's Pudong district, and 86 in Narita, Incheon Airport boasts the highest level of aviation network among its competitors. The airport also welcomed new airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Thai Lion Air, and Sunopsis Air this year. Delta Air Lines, based in the United States, relocated its Asian hub from Narita Airport to Incheon Airport in 2024.

Incheon Airport plans to boost its future competitiveness through artificial intelligence transition (AX) and the construction of urban air mobility (UAM) infrastructure. Incheon Airport Operations Director Kim Bum-ho expressed gratitude for the government's support, public support, and the efforts of airport staff, and pledged to continue strengthening regional connections through service innovation.