Incheon International Airport handled the highest number of international passengers in the first half of this year globally, surpassing long-standing international hubs in Dubai and London, the airport operator said Thursday. This also marks the first time it has topped the ranking since opening in 2001. The airport welcomed 38.39 million international passengers in the January-June period, up 6.3 percent from a year earlier, according to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC). The figure put Incheon ahead of London Heathrow Airport, which serviced 37.79 million passengers, and Singapore Changi Airport’s 34.53 million. The ranking is based on international passenger traffic compiled by Airports Council International. Incheon’s rise to the top underscores the airport’s growing role as a global aviation hub and highlights the impact of Korea’s long-term policy of developing Incheon as a Northeast Asian gateway. The airport ranked 10th globally shortly after its opening, climbed to fifth in 2018 and reached third in 2024 before claiming the global top spot this year. Its performa
