Chicago O’Hare International Airport has been named the most connected ‘megahub’ airport in the world, according to new analysis by air travel intelligence firm OAG. Chicago took first place in the company’s Megahubs Index 2016 Report, which measures the ratio of scheduled connections to the number of destinations served. A list of the top 50 most connected airports in the world was then revealed.
Others completing the top five include Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Denver International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International. Nine of the top 10 airports were in the USA, along with 22 of the top 50. The full list can be downloaded here.
Megahub airports are said to be defined as having a large number of both inbound and outbound flights, as well as well-timed airline schedules. The hubs are critical to global airline efficiency and play a vital role in providing passengers with more options for ticket costs, flight frequencies and available destinations.
John Grant, senior analyst at OAG, said, “The megahub strategy has clearly taken hold in the USA, as airports are continuing to build connectivity through capacity, new routes, infrastructure development and more. Airlines are looking to consolidate travelers at convenient hubs, and airport growth is following suit. The US market is ripe for megahubs given the amount of domestic travel.”
