Most internationally connected airports
OAG, the world’s leading provider of travel data and insight, released its Megahubs Index 2019. The analysis reveals the Top 50 most internationally connected airports in the world.
London Heathrow (LHR; International Connectivity Index: 317) is the world’s most internationally connected airport for the third straight year. On the busiest day in aviation this year, over 65,000 international connections were possible within a six-hour window. Frankfurt International Airport (FRA; ICI:309) moved up one spot in this year’s global rankings, giving Europe the top-two spots in the world. Chicago O’Hare (ORD; ICI:290), Amsterdam (AMS; ICI:279), and Munich (MUC; ICI:259) followed closely behind.
Singapore Changi (SIN) continues to lead the Asia Pacific in international connectivity and connected airports, ranking ninth globally for a second straight year. Hong Kong International ranks second regionally and jumps from 13th to 10th place in the global rankings due to a 1.5% increase in international connections.
Sixteen other Asia Pacific airports were featured as Top 50 Global Megahubs, with Incheon (ICN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Bangkok (BKK) and Jakarta (CGK) all ranking in the Top 20. Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) rounded out the top 25 and is the highest-ranked airport in China.
Asia Pacific airports also had a strong presence in the low-cost carrier (LCC) category, with Kuala Lumpur (KUL) keeping its title as the most internationally connected LCC Megahub in the world. Air Asia is the dominant carrier with 41% of all flights. Other highly ranked LCC Megahubs include Manila (MNL), which jumped up two spots over last year to place second, India (DEL) and Thailand (DMK).
“The rise of self-connecting passengers and new world travellers creates greater demand for low-cost Megahubs – and Asian airports are at the center of this trend,” said Mayur (Mac) Patel, Head of JAPAC for OAG.
Top 3 airports in the world:
| Fact | London Heathrow | Frankfurt International Airport | Chicago O’Hare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | London, UK | Frankfurt, Germany | Chicago, USA |
| Number of terminals | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Number of runways | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Busiest international route | New York JFK | New York JFK | London Heathrow |
| Busiest domestic route | Edinburgh | Munich | Los Angeles |
| Passengers handled in 2019 (millions) | 80.9 | 70.5 | 83.2 |
| Airlines served | 80+ | 100+ | 70+ |
| Largest airline | British Airways | Lufthansa | United Airlines |
| Cargo handled in 2020 (in tonnes) | 1.3 million | 2.1 million | 1.7 million |
| Direct flights to China (2022) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note: The data is accurate as of 2022.
View the full Megahubs Index 2019 here.
