The World's Most Connected Airports 2024: Today, the world is more interconnected than ever before, with rapid advancements seamlessly linking people and places around the world.
Airports in particular have emerged as key hubs for global connectivity, enabling people to travel across countries and cities as the aviation industry recovers after the pandemic.
Notably, the ACI World report predicts that global passenger numbers will reach 9.7 billion by the end of 2024, and are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2023 to 2042 and 3.6% from 2042 to 2052.
As a result, with the recent resurgence in international air travel, major airports around the world are investing in infrastructure upgrades and expansions to accommodate the surge in traffic.
Looking at airports in terms of global connectivity, it is interesting to note that the top four are in continental Europe, as it acts as a strategic link between North America and Asia, and between Africa and the northern region of Europe, including the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries.
IGA Istanbul Airport is ranked as the world's most transfer-friendly international airport.
IGA Istanbul Airport (Credit: IGA)
Surprisingly, IGA Istanbul Airport has emerged as the world's most transit-friendly airport this year, according to Cirium's latest data covering the first two quarters of 2024.
Opened just six years ago in 2018, this relatively new airport operates and connects as many as 309 direct flights to destinations around the world.
IGA Istanbul Airport benefits greatly from its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, serving more African destinations.
Additionally, this major international gateway serves approximately 90 million passengers annually, making it the seventh busiest and tenth best airport in the world.
This has established Hong Kong as a major global transport hub, a trend that is expected to continue for years to come.
