World · 13 August 2026

Incheon Airport now world's busiest, overtaking Heathrow

South Korea's Incheon Airport has become the world's busiest for international passengers, serving 38.4 million in the first half of this year. Incheon Airport's rise pushed London's Heathrow Airport, which had 37.8 million passengers, into second place. The US-Iran conflict partly caused this shift, diverting travellers from Middle Eastern hubs, such as Dubai, to Asian routes.

By BriefTea Editorial · 13 August 2026 at 15:30

Reported by Independent · How we write briefs

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How do conflicts affect travel? What makes an airport busy? Who owns and runs airports? Why is Heathrow less busy?

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