Istanbul Airport maintains European leadership despite global ranking shift

Despite geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and rising oil prices, the global aviation sector continues to see passenger growth. At the ACI World Airport Experience Summit 2026 held in Istanbul, industry professionals discussed the future of aviation, focusing on artificial intelligence, biometrics, and airport investments.

Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of İGA Istanbul Airport, noted that while conflicts in the Gulf and Middle East have altered flight routes and increased costs, Istanbul remains a secure transit hub for East-West connections. Istanbul Airport has seen a 2% increase in passenger numbers since the start of the year.

However, global rankings for busiest airports have shifted. According to OAG data, Istanbul Airport dropped from the 4th to the 6th busiest airport globally, despite a 1% increase in its annual seat capacity. This decline is attributed to faster growth in hubs like Chicago, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Notably, Istanbul Airport maintains its position as the busiest airport in Europe, leading London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Meanwhile, Dubai International experienced a significant drop, falling from 2nd to 7th place following a 15% decrease in seat capacity.