Istanbul Airport has overtaken London Heathrow to become the world’s most internationally connected airport for the first time, according to OAG‘s latest global airport rankings.
The OAG Megahubs 2026 report ranks Istanbul Airport (IST) first, up from second in 2025, while Heathrow (LHR) falls to second. Amsterdam Schiphol remains third.
Istanbul now offers connections to 337 destinations worldwide, helped by Turkish Airlines‘ expansive network, which accounts for around 80% of the airport’s capacity.
OAG Chief Analyst John Grant said Istanbul’s rise reflects both the airline network and the city’s advantageous position between major global markets.
“The 2026 rankings reflect a global aviation landscape that is still recalibrating after significant disruption,” Grant said. “Istanbul’s rise to the top reflects the strength of Turkish Airlines’ network and the airport’s geographic position as a connecting hub between east and west.”
Why Istanbul has overtaken Heathrow
OAG’s ranking does not just consider how many destinations passengers can fly to directly. Its Megahubs index measures the number of possible connections between arriving and departing international flights relative to the destinations served. That means flight frequency, scheduling and how an airline builds connecting banks at its hub can matter as much as the raw number of routes.
