Heathrow has been knocked off the top spot for the first time since 2023, with Istanbul handling almost 300,000 more passengers in July as the London airport pushes ahead with plans for a third runway.
Published on
11/08/2026 - 16:45 GMT+2
Heathrow has lost its crown as Europe’s busiest airport, with Istanbul welcoming almost 300,000 more passengers than the London hub in July.
The shift comes as Heathrow has seen a summer dip in passenger numbers, particularly on Middle East routes, while its long-running push for a third runway gathers pace.
Figures, released annually by the trade body Airports Council International, reveal that Heathrow was Europe’s busiest airport from 1996 to 2019.
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Heathrow said the case for expansion has “never been clearer” after it was overtaken by Istanbul as Europe’s busiest airport.
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West London airport reports 7.86 million passengers in July, compared with 8.15 million for Istanbul
Heathrow suffered a 1.2% decline from May 2025
