Istanbul Airport (IST) has been ranked as the world's most connected airport for 2026, surpassing London Heathrow (LHR). This marks the first time Istanbul has claimed the top position, connecting to 337 global destinations.
London Heathrow, which was the world's most connected airport for three consecutive years until 2025, has slipped to second place. The airport's potential connections on its busiest day of operations between September 2025 and August 2026 decreased by six per cent compared to the previous year.
The OAG Megahubs Index, which assesses airport connectivity by analysing flight data from the 100 largest international airports over a 12-month period, noted that geopolitical tensions and airports' efforts to attract new travellers contributed to significant shifts in the 2026 rankings.
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) has moved into third position, experiencing growth in both capacity and destinations. Kuala Lumpur (KUL) retains its fourth-place ranking, despite a slight fall in potential connections, as its served destinations increased from 151 to 154.