Istanbul Airport has overtaken Heathrow Airport as the busiest in Europe, with more passengers passing through its gates in July. Istanbul Airport managed to accommodate 8.15 million passengers during the month, surpassing Heathrow’s 7.86 million. This shift comes as Heathrow experiences a 1.5% drop in passenger numbers compared to last July, while Istanbul Airport saw an increase of 2.3%. Contributing to Heathrow’s decline were disruptions partly attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The change in rankings has intensified calls for the UK government to approve Heathrow’s proposed expansion, which includes a third runway. Currently, Heathrow operates with two runways that are nearly at full capacity. The £33 billion expansion project aims to boost the airport’s annual capacity to approximately 150 million passengers. Heathrow officials argue that increased capacity is crucial for enhancing the UK’s global connectivity, facilitating trade, and boosting tourism.
In contrast, Istanbul Airport benefits from a larger site and 24-hour operations. Opened in 2018, the airport already has three runways, and plans are underway to add a fourth by the end of 2026. Its recent performance highlights its growing role as a major hub in the region.
Meanwhile, other UK airports have reported record figures. London Stansted and Manchester airports both experienced their busiest July ever, with Stansted handling 3.1 million passengers and Manchester accommodating 3.4 million. These figures underscore the robust demand for air travel within and to the UK, despite challenges faced by Heathrow.