Airlines

Top 10 Most Internationally Connected Airports in the World

In an increasingly interconnected world, airports serve as vital hubs for global travel and commerce. The connectivity of airports not only facilitates the movement of passengers but also plays a pivotal role in the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas on a global scale. These airports are more than just terminals and runways; they are bustling crossroads where people from all corners of the globe converge, making them essential components of our interconnected world.

IndiGo To Start 6 New Flights To Africa Central Asia(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to OAG data, we embark on a journey to explore the top 10 most internationally connected airports on the planet. These airports offer a wide range of destinations, services, and amenities that cater to the needs of travelers looking to save money while exploring the world.

This year, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most connected airport in the world, ranking #1. In terms of overall scheduled capacity, LHR will be the world’s fourth-largest airport in the year by August 2023. British Airways continues to be the major carrier at London Heathrow, accounting for 50% of all flights.

25 MOST INTERNATIONALLY CONNECTED AIRPORT IN THE WORLD: OAG Megahub 2019(Opens in a new browser tab)

This year’s Megahubs Index places New York’s JFK Airport (JFK) second. New York (JFK) punches above its weight with a high volume of potential connecting possibilities across its broad network, and it is only outside the Top 10 largest global airports by scheduled seat capacity. JFK has risen significantly from 18th place in 2019, largely in part to American Airlines adding seven new foreign destinations in 2023, as well as new flights from many carriers, including Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Air Senegal.

The presence of seven Asian airport hubs in the Global Top 20 is important given that the region is still in recovery. The most connected of these hubs is Kuala Lumpur (KUL), which ranks fourth, followed by Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), which is fifth.

Airlines

S7 Group Begins Fan Blade Production for Western Engine Models

The privately-owned Russian aerospace giant S7 Group has reportedly commenced production of blades for Western-built aero engines at its subsidiary, the Berdsk Electromechanical Plant (BEMZ), located in Novosibirsk.

This development, reported by the Russian aviation publication ATO.ru, marks a significant step for the company amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.BEMZ has started manufacturing composite fan blades compatible with jet turbine engines, including the CFM International CFM56, which powers popular aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family.

Virgin Atlantic Introduces Sign Language Crew Booking for Inclusive Flights

The technology for restoring blades of gas turbine engines used in Airbus and Boeing aircraft was previously developed by the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and is now being implemented in the production of new aircraft parts at BEMZ.

Currently, BEMZ focuses on producing parts essential for maintaining the airworthiness of civil aircraft. Over the past year and a half, the plant has manufactured approximately 3,500 structural elements and components for replacement on foreign aircraft, which are utilized by airlines such as S7 Airlines, Pobeda, Aurora, and Aeroflot.

The facility is undergoing expansion, with two stages of an investment program totaling 2 billion roubles already completed. These developments are likely geared toward producing blades for the CFM56 engines, which equip more than half of S7’s operational fleet, including 28 Airbus A320-family aircraft and 19 Boeing 737-800s.

Qatar Airways Launches new Flights From Doha To Toronto

Vasily Yurchenko, CEO of Berdsk Electromechanical Plant, emphasized the shift in focus towards maintaining the airworthiness of the Western-made fleet. The plant has delivered thousands of components to S7 and other Russian carriers since 2022. Notably, according to Russia’s Air Operators Association, 89% of the country’s passengers in 2023 traveled aboard foreign-made aircraft.

Future plans include serious investments to transform the plant into a modern, high-tech aircraft manufacturing facility. In addition to engine blades, BEMZ is also known for producing various spare parts for aircraft, reinforcing its role in the Russian aviation industry as it adapts to new manufacturing needs.