Istanbul Airport has overtaken Heathrow as Europe’s busiest airport, welcoming 8.15 million passengers in July compared to Heathrow’s 7.86 million. This shift marks a significant change as Heathrow has traditionally held the top spot. The change in rankings comes amid a 1.5% drop in passenger numbers at Heathrow from July last year, while Istanbul experienced a 2.3% increase in traffic.
The decline at Heathrow has been partly attributed to disruptions related to conflicts in the Middle East. This development has intensified calls for the UK government to green-light Heathrow’s planned third runway, a move that could potentially boost its annual capacity to approximately 150 million passengers. Currently, Heathrow operates with two runways that are near full capacity, and the proposed £33 billion expansion aims to address this limitation and enhance the UK’s global connectivity, trade, and tourism.
In contrast, Istanbul Airport, operational since 2018, boasts a larger site and operates continuously, 24/7. It currently has three operational runways, with a fourth expected to be ready by the end of 2026. This capacity allows it to handle more passengers and maintain its position as a leading airport in Europe.
Amid these developments, other UK airports have recorded high passenger numbers. London Stansted Airport and Manchester Airport both reported their busiest July to date, handling 3.1 million and 3.4 million passengers, respectively. These figures reflect a growing demand for air travel across different regions.