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 comes as Heathrow experienced a 1.5% drop in passenger numbers from the same month last year, while Istanbul Airport saw a 2.3% increase in its traffic.
The decline in Heathrow’s figures is partially attributed to disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. This development adds pressure on the UK government to sanction Heathrow’s long-discussed third runway. Currently, Heathrow operates with two runways that are nearing full capacity. The proposed £33 billion expansion aims to boost the airport’s annual capacity to approximately 150 million passengers, enhancing the UK’s global connectivity and economic prospects in trade and tourism.
Istanbul Airport, which began operations in 2018, benefits from a larger site and is operational 24/7. It currently has three runways, with plans to open a fourth by the end of 2026, further expanding its capability to accommodate more passengers.
In contrast, London Stansted and Manchester airports reported their busiest July on record, handling 3.1 million and 3.4 million passengers, respectively. These figures underline the continuous growth in air travel demand within the UK, despite the setbacks faced by Heathrow.