In July, Istanbul Airport surpassed Heathrow Airport in passenger numbers, becoming Europe’s busiest airport. During that month, Istanbul Airport managed to handle 8.15 million passengers, while Heathrow served 7.86 million. This shift in rankings comes as Heathrow experienced a 1.5% decline in passenger traffic compared to the same period last year, partly due to disruptions related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In contrast, Istanbul Airport saw a 2.3% increase in passenger numbers.
The change in passenger traffic has intensified calls for the UK government to greenlight Heathrow’s proposed third runway. Currently operating with two runways almost at full capacity, Heathrow is pushing for a £33 billion expansion plan that would potentially increase its annual capacity to about 150 million passengers. Airport officials argue that expanding Heathrow is essential for enhancing the UK’s global connectivity, as well as boosting trade and tourism.
Istanbul Airport, which began operations in 2018, benefits from a larger site and operates 24/7. It currently has three runways and is planning to add a fourth by the end of 2026, which could further bolster its capacity to accommodate more passengers.
While Heathrow grapples with capacity issues, other UK airports have experienced record-breaking numbers. London Stansted and Manchester airports both reported their busiest July ever, with 3.1 million and 3.4 million passengers, respectively. These figures highlight the growing demand for air travel within the UK, underscoring the need for expanded infrastructure.