Istanbul Airport Overtakes Heathrow as Europe's Busiest Hub

Istanbul Airport overtook Heathrow Airport as the busiest aviation hub in Europe in July. Data shows Istanbul recorded 8.15 million passengers, a 2.3% increase, while Heathrow saw 7.86 million passengers, representing a 1.5% year-on-year decrease.

Hearthrow attributed the decline in part to a 20.2% drop in traffic on Middle East routes resulting from the US-Israel war on Iran. Management argued that the loss of its top status clarifies the need for expansion, as the airport currently operates at capacity. The airport is seeking government permission to build a third runway to increase annual capacity to 150 million passengers.

Political response to the proposal remains divided. Former chancellor Rachel Reeves previously supported a 2035 completion date for the project, and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander launched a consultation on the national policy statement for expansion in June. However, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham expressed concerns that expanding Heathrow diverts critical infrastructure investment away from northern England.