Business · Companies · 1 day ago
Istanbul Airport becomes world’s most connected, overtaking Heathrow
Istanbul Airport has overtaken London Heathrow to become the world’s most internationally connected airport in OAG’s 2026 index.
The ranking compares the possible connections between international flights with the number of destinations an airport serves.
Its calculations used flight schedules for Aug.
2, described as the busiest day for global aviation in the period examined.
Amsterdam Schiphol, Kuala Lumpur and Chicago O’Hare followed Heathrow in the rankings.
Istanbul Airport serves about 350 destinations and handles more than 84 million passengers each year.
Its chief executive said the airport’s efficiency and cost advantages help attract new airlines.
Long-term plans envisage capacity for 200 million passengers a year, leaving room for further growth.
Istanbul Airport has overtaken London Heathrow as the world’s most internationally connected airport in OAG’s Megahubs 2026 index.
Heathrow ranked second, followed by Amsterdam Schiphol, Kuala Lumpur and Chicago O’Hare.
The index compares possible connections to and from international flights with the number of destinations served.
This year’s calculations used flight schedules for Aug. 2, described as the busiest day for global aviation in the period examined.
Istanbul Airport serves approximately 350 destinations and handles more than 84 million passengers annually.
- Who
- Istanbul Airport and OAG, the aviation data provider behind the ranking.
- What
- Istanbul Airport ranked as the world’s most internationally connected airport, overtaking London Heathrow.
- When
- The Megahubs 2026 index was released in September. The article was published on Oct. 10, 2026.
- Where
- Istanbul Airport, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Why
- OAG’s index compares possible connections to and from international flights with the number of destinations served.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Today, we already serve approximately 350 destinations around the world, with significant room to grow further
Flight schedules for this day were used in the index calculations.
OAG released its Megahubs 2026 index, ranking Istanbul Airport first.
- Top-ranked airport
- Istanbul Airport
- Second place
- London Heathrow
- Third place
- Amsterdam Schiphol
- Destinations served
- Approximately 350
- Annual passengers
- More than 84 million
Sources
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