Istanbul Airport has overtaken Heathrow Airport as Europe’s busiest airport, with passenger numbers in July reaching 8.15 million compared to Heathrow’s 7.86 million. This shift marks a significant milestone, with Heathrow experiencing a 1.5% decrease in passengers compared to July of the previous year, while Istanbul Airport saw a 2.3% increase. The decline in Heathrow’s traffic is partly attributed to disruptions arising from the conflict in the Middle East.
The change in rankings has intensified demands on the UK government to approve Heathrow’s proposed third runway. Currently operating at near full capacity with its two runways, the airport’s planned £33 billion expansion could potentially boost its annual passenger capacity to around 150 million. Heathrow authorities argue that this expansion is crucial for enhancing the UK’s global connectivity, trade, and tourism prospects.
Opened in 2018, Istanbul Airport benefits from a larger site and round-the-clock operations. With three runways already in use, a fourth is slated to become operational by the end of 2026, further increasing its capacity and competitiveness in the European aviation sector.
In contrast, other UK airports reported record passenger numbers in July. London Stansted managed 3.1 million passengers, while Manchester Airport handled 3.4 million, marking their busiest July on record. These figures highlight the growing demand for air travel within the UK, even as Heathrow grapples with capacity challenges.