Most Connected Airports in the World
OAG, a data platform for the global travel industry, today released Megahubs 2023, the ranking of the most internationally connected airports in the world. The 2023 Megahubs Index analyzes the efficacy and connectivity of the world’s international hubs.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) reclaimed its coveted position as the world’s #1 internationally connected airport. British Airways continues to reign as its dominant airline, owning a 50% share of the flights. New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) surged to #2 among Global Megahubs, with Istanbul Airport (IST) joining the Top 10 at #7. Turkish Airlines is the dominant airline at Istanbul, owning a 79% share of the flights.
The Top 20 Global Megahubs show an even spread of connectivity, with six located in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, six in North America, and seven in Asia Pacific.
Key Highlights
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most connected airport in the world this year in first place. LHR is the 4th biggest airport in the world in terms of total scheduled capacity in the year to August 2023. British Airways remains the dominant airline at London Heathrow, operating 50% of all flights. London Heathrow Airport also ranked first in 2019, and while the number of potential connections in the period selected still remains slightly below 2019 levels, London Heathrow ranks highest this year in terms of the ratio of those connections to destinations served.
- New York’s JFK Airport (JFK) is 2nd in this year’s Megahubs Index. New York (JFK) punches above its weight with high volumes of potential connecting options across its extensive network, and sits just outside the Top 10 largest global airports by scheduled seat capacity. JFK has moved up the rankings considerably from 18th position in 2019, in part driven by American Airlines operating seven more international destinations in 2023, and new services from several carriers including Qantas, Air New Zealand and Air Senegal.
- The Global Top 20 Megahubs are evenly distributed across the regions with:
- 6 in EMEA
- 6 in North America
- 7 in Asia Pacific
- The presence of seven Asian airport hubs in the Global Top 20 is significant considering the region is still on the path towards a full recovery. Most connected of these hubs is Kuala Lumpur (KUL) ranking 4th, closely followed by Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) which ranks 5th.
- The major European airport hubs – Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA) and Paris (CDG) – join London Heathrow (LHR) in the Top 10 Global Megahubs. Istanbul (IST) also makes it into the Top 10 in 7th place, which is considerably higher than its ranking at 17 in 2019. This does follow a period of fleet expansion from Istanbul’s dominant carrier – Turkish Airlines – who have been adding both destinations in Central Asia and the US, and increasing frequency to some points.
- Other Megahubs of significance in the Top 20 include Atlanta (ATL), the World’s Busiest Airport, which ranks 14th and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) which sits in position 10, down from 3rd place in 2019.
Top 25 Global Airport Megahubs
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