Incheon International Airport, South Korea’s main gateway to Seoul, ranked first worldwide for international passenger traffic during the first half of 2026, marking the first time it has reached the top position since opening in 2001.

The airport recorded 38.39 million international passengers between January and June, an increase of 6.3% from the same period a year earlier, according to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC).

Preliminary data from the Airports Council International (ACI), covering 1,234 airports worldwide, placed Incheon ahead of London Heathrow Airport, which handled 37.79 million international passengers, and Singapore Changi Airport, with 34.53 million.

Incheon’s position in the global rankings has steadily improved over the past two decades. It stood 10th in 2002 with 20.55 million international passengers, climbed to fifth in 2018 with 67.68 million, and reached third place in 2024 after recording 70.67 million passengers.

The latest figures underscore Incheon Airport’s growing role as a major international aviation hub and reflect continued growth in cross-border passenger demand.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Incheon International Airport, South Korea’s main gateway to Seoul, ranked first worldwide for international passenger traffic during the first half of 2026, marking the first time it has reached the top position since opening in 2001.

The airport recorded 38.39 million international passengers between January and June, an increase of 6.3% from the same period a year earlier, according to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC).

Preliminary data from the Airports Council International (ACI), covering 1,234 airports worldwide, placed Incheon ahead of London Heathrow Airport, which handled 37.79 million international passengers, and Singapore Changi Airport, with 34.53 million.

Incheon’s position in the global rankings has steadily improved over the past two decades. It stood 10th in 2002 with 20.55 million international passengers, climbed to fifth in 2018 with 67.68 million, and reached third place in 2024 after recording 70.67 million passengers.

The latest figures underscore Incheon Airport’s growing role as a major international aviation hub and reflect continued growth in cross-border passenger demand.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Salalah Airport recorded a 7% increase in arriving flights during the 2026 Dhofar Khareef season, with 1,758 flights landing between June 21 and July 31, compared with 1,637 during the same period last year.

Data from Oman Airports showed that arriving passenger numbers also increased, reaching 154,529, up from 142,488 in 2025.

The increase of 12,041 passengers represents growth of approximately 8% year on year.

The rise in air traffic coincides with the 2026 Dhofar Khareef season, which continues to draw visitors from across Oman and overseas to experience the governorate’s distinctive monsoon climate and lush landscapes.

Salalah Airport remains an important gateway for tourism in Dhofar, where passenger numbers and travel activity typically increase significantly during the annual khareef season.

The latest figures point to continued growth in passenger demand and air connectivity during one of the region’s busiest tourism periods.

Source: ZAWYA

Syria has officially reopened Deir ez-Zor International Airport after nearly 14 years of closure, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to restore air connectivity.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced on August 5 that maintenance and rehabilitation work at the airport had been completed, allowing flight operations to resume.

The airport's first domestic service since reopening was operated by Syrian Air from Damascus International Airport, re-establishing regular air links between the Syrian capital and Deir ez-Zor.

International operations also resumed with the arrival of a Syrian Air flight from Kuwait, the first overseas service to land at the airport since its closure, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

The aviation authority said the reopening forms part of a broader strategy to expand Syria's air transport network, restore domestic aviation services and improve travel options for passengers. The initiative is also intended to support economic and investment activity while strengthening links between Syria's governorates and international destinations.

Source: ZAWYA

Istanbul Airport recorded the highest single-day passenger traffic ever seen in both Türkiye and Europe after handling 289,260 travelers on Aug. 1, according to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

In a written statement, Uraloglu confirmed that the airport achieved the historic milestone on Saturday, surpassing all previous daily passenger records in the country and across the European continent. He said the latest figure reflects the airport's growing prominence in international aviation and marks a new benchmark for passenger traffic.

The achievement exceeds the airport's previous one-day record of 282,835 passengers, which was set on Aug. 2, 2025, based on data released by airport operator IGA.

Istanbul Airport has continued its steady growth in recent years. The facility welcomed a record 84.46 million passengers in 2025, representing a 5% increase compared with 2024. Building on that momentum, the airport has set a target of serving 90 million passengers in 2026.

According to IGA, the airport currently provides connections to more than 330 destinations worldwide and is served by 116 scheduled airlines, further strengthening its position in the global aviation network.

Uraloglu said the airport's expanding capacity, modern infrastructure, and high service standards continue to enhance its international standing. He added that the latest passenger record highlights Istanbul Airport's growing importance as one of the world's leading transfer hubs.

Source: Turkey Today