Istanbul Airport has overtaken Heathrow as the busiest airport in Europe, marking a significant shift in passenger traffic for the month of July. Istanbul recorded handling 8.15 million passengers, surpassing Heathrow’s 7.86 million. The change in rankings can be attributed to a decline of 1.5% in passenger numbers at Heathrow since July of the previous year, a downturn partially linked to disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, Istanbul Airport experienced a 2.3% rise in traffic during the same period.
This development has intensified calls for expansion at Heathrow, which is currently operating near full capacity with its two runways. The proposed addition of a third runway, with an estimated cost of £33 billion, aims to boost the airport’s annual capacity to approximately 150 million passengers. Heathrow officials argue that the latest passenger figures underscore the necessity for increased capacity to bolster the UK’s international connectivity, trade, and tourism sectors.
In contrast, Istanbul Airport, which became operational in 2018, benefits from a larger site and 24-hour operations. It currently features three runways and is planning to add a fourth by the end of 2026, further enhancing its ability to handle increased passenger loads.
While Heathrow grapples with capacity issues, other UK airports are experiencing growth. Both London Stansted and Manchester airports reported their busiest July ever, with passenger numbers reaching 3.1 million and 3.4 million, respectively. This growth at other airports highlights the increasing demand for air travel within the UK, even as Heathrow faces challenges in maintaining its leading position.