Passenger Traffic Changes at the World’s Leading Airports in the First Half of 2026
Passenger traffic at eight of the world’s busiest airports during the first half of 2026 (January–June) was compared with the same period in 2025.
According to data released by airport operators, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport recorded the highest growth among the airports included in the comparison, with an 8.2% increase. Guangzhou was followed by Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 6.7%, Istanbul Airport at 4.8%, and Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 3.7%.
Passenger traffic increased by 2.6% at Tokyo Haneda Airport and 0.2% at London Heathrow Airport.
Meanwhile, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport recorded a 0.3% decline in passenger traffic, while Dubai International Airport experienced a 31.3% decrease.
The comparison covers eight airports selected based on ACI World’s 2025 passenger traffic rankings. The reported percentages represent year-on-year changes in passenger traffic during the first six months of 2026, rather than total passenger numbers or the airports’ positions in the global rankings.
