In a significant shift in European aviation rankings, Istanbul Airport surpassed Heathrow Airport as the continent’s busiest in July. The Turkish airport managed 8.15 million passengers, while Heathrow served 7.86 million. This change is partly due to a 1.5% decline in Heathrow’s passenger numbers compared to the same month last year, whereas Istanbul experienced a 2.3% increase in traffic.
The setback for Heathrow has fueled calls for the UK government to greenlight the airport’s proposed third runway. Currently operating near full capacity with two runways, Heathrow’s planned £33 billion expansion aims to boost its annual capacity to approximately 150 million passengers. Officials at Heathrow argue that expanding the airport is crucial for enhancing the UK’s global connectivity, trade, and tourism.
Since its opening in 2018, Istanbul Airport has grown rapidly, leveraging its larger site and 24-hour operations. The airport currently has three runways, with a fourth slated to commence operations by the end of 2026, which could further strengthen its position in the aviation industry.
Meanwhile, other UK airports are also experiencing growth. London Stansted and Manchester airports have both reported their busiest July on record, with Stansted handling 3.1 million passengers and Manchester 3.4 million. These figures highlight the increasing demand for air travel within and from the UK, despite the challenges faced by Heathrow.