Istanbul Airport overtakes London Heathrow as Europe's busiest hub

Istanbul Airport has surpassed London Heathrow to become the busiest airport in Europe based on July 2026 passenger traffic data. Heathrow reported 7.86 million passengers, a 1.5% decrease compared to the same month in 2025, while Istanbul Airport recorded 8.15 million passengers, representing a 2.3% increase. The decline at Heathrow is attributed in part to a 20.2% annual drop in passenger numbers on Middle Eastern routes, linked to the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Historically, Heathrow held the top position from 1996 to 2019, with the exception of 2020 due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, before regaining its status in 2023. With the airport currently operating near its two-runway capacity, Heathrow management is leveraging these figures to urge the British government to approve long-discussed expansion plans. The airport continues to navigate regional geopolitical challenges as it faces stiff competition for connectivity dominance.