In a shift among Europe’s largest airports, Istanbul Airport surpassed Heathrow as the continent’s busiest in July. Istanbul Airport accommodated 8.15 million passengers during the month, edging out Heathrow’s 7.86 million. This marks a 2.3% increase in traffic for Istanbul, while Heathrow experienced a 1.5% decrease compared to the same period last year. Factors contributing to Heathrow’s decline include disruptions related to the Middle East conflict.
The development has intensified calls for the UK government to approve a third runway at Heathrow. Currently operating at near full capacity with just two runways, the proposed £33 billion expansion could boost Heathrow’s annual capacity to about 150 million passengers. The airport management argues that additional capacity is crucial to enhancing the UK’s global connectivity, trade, and tourism appeal.
Since its opening in 2018, Istanbul Airport has benefitted from a larger site and 24-hour operations. Equipped with three runways and a fourth set to open by the end of 2026, the airport is positioned to handle increasing passenger volumes effectively.
While Heathrow faces challenges, other UK airports reported robust numbers for July. London Stansted and Manchester airports both recorded their busiest-ever month, handling 3.1 million and 3.4 million passengers respectively, showcasing a strong domestic demand for air travel.