Istanbul Airport has risen to second place in the world in the Megahubs 2025 index published by aviation data company OAG, cementing its position as one of the most important international connecting hubs.
According to OAG’s annual report, the ranking is based on airports’ ability to connect international passengers within a six-hour window. London Heathrow kept first place for the ninth time in the past decade, while after Istanbul came Amsterdam Schiphol in third, Frankfurt in fourth and Paris Charles de Gaulle in fifth. OAG attributed Istanbul’s strong growth to Türkiye’s geographical advantage and Turkish Airlines’ strategic expansion.
Opened in 2019, the airport has quickly become one of the world’s busiest international gateways.
- In North America, Chicago O’Hare led the region in eighth place globally. Singapore Changi, Hong Kong, Seoul Incheon and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi performed strongly in Asia.
- Among low-cost carriers (LCC), Kuala Lumpur, centred on AirAsia, was named the top megahub.
The index shows that, beyond passenger volume, efficiency and the variety of connection options play a key role in attracting airlines and passengers. OAG’s analysis indicates that air connectivity has returned to pre-pandemic levels in many regions and that competition among Europe, the Middle East and Asia for top positions is intensifying.
