London Heathrow is the world’s most connected airport in 2024
Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo follow
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has again claimed the top spot as the world’s most internationally connected airport, according to OAG’s highly anticipated Megahubs 2024 report.
This prestigious ranking underscores Heathrow’s unparalleled network of global destinations and its capacity for connections on the busiest travel day of the year.
OAG Megahubs 2024, the definitive analysis of airport connectivity, highlights Heathrow’s dominance in global aviation, which it reclaimed last year. The report – including the Top 50 Global Megahubs – examines the total number of destinations served and the number of scheduled international connections. It reveals that London Heathrow continues to outpace its global competitors in both metrics.
Second and third places
In the latest rankings, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) have surged to second and third place, respectively, marking a significant rise in connectivity for the Asia Pacific region. Notably, KUL’s ascent to second place reflects its impressive number of connections to destinations served, moving from 12th place in 2019 to 4th in 2023.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York holds 6th globally, showcasing its significant role in international air travel. Istanbul Airport (IST) ranks 8th, with its extensive network of destinations contributing to its high position, though it lags slightly in potential connection opportunities compared to its higher-ranked counterparts.
The report also notes that European hubs remain strong, with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in fourth place and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in seventh. Among other notable entries, Dubai International Airport (DXB) is in 16th place, while El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is in 20th.
The Top 50 Global Megahubs are airports with the highest ratio of possible scheduled international connections to the number of destinations they serve. They include online, interline, and low-cost carrier (LCC) connections.
‘High travel demand’
John Grant, Chief Analyst at OAG, said: “Connectivity continues to rebuild as airlines and airports across markets respond to high travel demand. Despite ongoing geopolitical events, each new route creates new connectivity opportunities, showcasing aviation’s importance to the global economy.”
The OAG Megahubs 2024 report is based on flight data from the busiest day in global aviation (August 2, 2024). It offers insights into international and domestic connectivity across the world’s largest airports.
The comprehensive analysis also highlights the top connected airports by region, including significant growth in Asia Pacific, which now houses three of the Top five Megahubs: KUL, HND, and ICN.
Key regional insights include:
- Asia Pacific: KUL, HND, ICN, BKK, SIN, MNL, NRT, and PVG.
- EMEA: LHR, AMS, CDG, IST, FRA, and DXB.
- North America: JFK, ORD, ATL, DFW, and YYZ.
As global aviation continues to recover and expand, the connectivity landscape remains dynamic, with notable improvements and shifts observed in key regions. Tokyo Narita (NRT) has made significant strides, entering the Top 50 this year, reflecting Japan’s rebound in the inbound travel market.
The report underscores that while major European airports like AMS, FRA, and CDG continue to dominate the Top 10, changes in service patterns due to geopolitical factors have impacted connectivity.
Overall, OAG Megahubs 2024 reaffirms the critical role of major global airports in facilitating international travel and economic growth, with London Heathrow maintaining its unrivalled status as the gateway to the world.
LHR record passengers
LHR catered to a record 39.8 million passengers for the six months ending June 30, 2024, with Thomas Woldbye, CEO of LHR, saying: “Serving record-breaking passenger numbers while continuing to deliver excellent customer service is no easy feat and is a testament to the dedication of my hardworking colleagues.
“In addition to the nearly 40 million passengers that flew through Heathrow during the first six months, so did 765,000 tonnes of cargo, supporting world-leading British industries to access global export markets. We are working hard to deliver economic benefits for the UK, but this needs to be backed by joined-up policymaking prioritising worldwide competitiveness and sustainable growth.
“We are encouraged by the new [UK Government’s recognition of Heathrow’s role in powering growth across the country, and look forward to working with Ministers to ensure we are firing on all cylinders and retain our global standing,” Woldbye added.
Featured image: File photo of a British Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on the taxiway at London Heathrow . Credit: Heathrow Airports Limited
