Six of Asia Pacific’s largest airports are amongst the top 20 most connected airports, worldwide, according to OAG’s International Megahubs Index 2018.
OAG ranks airports with the highest ratio of scheduled international connections to the number of destinations served.
Asia-Pacific’s highest ranked airports in the connected Megahubs list were: Singapore Changi – 8th; Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International – 10th; Kuala Lumpur International – 12th; Hong Kong International – 13th; Bangkok Suvarnabhumi – 14th.
In the international low-cost megahubs section, ongoing low-cost airport infrastructure development, route network expansions and seat capacity growth enabled Kuala Lumpur International, home of Asia’s largest low-cost carrier AirAsia, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International and Singapore Changi to retain the top three global rankings.
Kuala Lumpur International airport is one of the top three global rankings
Manila Ninoy Aquino International jumped from 12th, place to 4th, with dominant carrier Cebu Pacific operating one-third of all flights.
Shanghai Pudong International is China’s most connected airport (24 overall), with Guangzhou Baiyun and Beijing Capital International, the world’s largest airport for scheduled airline seat capacity, at 31st and 32nd place respectively.
Eyes are starting to turn towards Beijing Daxing International Airport, scheduled to open as the world’s biggest airport in 2019.
OAG regional sales director JAPAC, Mayur Patel said: “Robust demand for international air travel is making Asia-Pacific a pivotal region for connecting flights. Asia’s dominance is clear to see but we are likely to see some interesting movements when the new Beijing airport opens.
“With China driving air travel growth, we expect Hub connectivity to Hong Kong, currently undergoing unprecedented growth, driven by mainline operators (Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon) will undoubtedly see further evolution.”