Heathrow loses Europe’s top spot to Istanbul as third runway debate intensifies

Heathrow has pointed to the need for additional runway capacity after Istanbul overtook the London hub as Europe’s busiest airport, with the latest passenger figures highlighting the growing competition between the continent’s major aviation gateways.

Heathrow handled 7.86 million passengers in July, falling behind Istanbul Airport, which recorded 8.15 million travellers during the month.

The changing positions come as Heathrow seeks approval for a £33 billion expansion programme, centred on the construction of a third runway and ultimately increasing the airport’s capacity to around 150 million passengers a year.

Heathrow described being overtaken by Istanbul as further evidence of the need to expand.

The airport said:

“The case for expansion has never been clearer, as Heathrow was overtaken in July by Istanbul airport as the busiest hub in Europe.“Our plans will ensure the country gets the infrastructure it needs to stay competitive and will deliver all-important economic growth.”

Heathrow passenger numbers fall as Istanbul grows

The July figures show contrasting performances at the two airports.

Heathrow's passenger numbers were 1.5% lower than July last year, with disruption associated with the war on Iran cited as one factor.

Istanbul, meanwhile, recorded year-on-year passenger growth of 2.3%.

Heathrow's two existing runways already operate close to capacity, limiting the airport's ability to significantly increase flights without additional infrastructure.

Istanbul faces fewer of those constraints.

Opened in 2018 on a large new site away from the centre of the city, the Turkish airport was designed from the outset for substantial expansion and round-the-clock operation.

It currently benefits from three independently operated runways, with a fourth runway expected to become operational by the end of 2026.

Selahattin Bilgen, Chief Executive of Istanbul Airport, described becoming Europe's busiest hub as “a significant milestone”.

He said the airport had been able to overcome capacity constraints experienced by other international hubs through its ability to operate three runways simultaneously, alongside its 24-hour operations and significant available capacity.

Heathrow seeks return to the top

Heathrow was Europe's busiest airport for more than two decades before the Covid-19 pandemic dramatically disrupted international aviation.

It lost its leading position in 2020 before returning to the top of the European rankings in 2023.

The latest figures illustrate how the competitive landscape has changed, with Istanbul's geographical position between Europe, Asia and the Middle East helping it develop rapidly as an international connecting hub.

For Heathrow, the answer is a third runway.

Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye said:

“Expanding Heathrow will help ensure the UK remains home to Europe’s leading hub and continues to benefit from the trade, investment and tourism that increased connectivity will bring.”

The Government has already moved the expansion debate forward.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander launched a consultation on a revised Heathrow expansion National Policy Statement in June, setting out the conditions under which a third runway could proceed.

The ambition previously outlined by government was for construction to begin during the current Parliament and for the new runway to be operational by 2035.

Expansion remains contentious

Heathrow's comparison with Istanbul also underlines some of the fundamental differences between the airports.

While Istanbul was developed on a vast new site away from densely populated areas, Heathrow is surrounded by established west London communities and major transport infrastructure.

Expanding the airport therefore involves substantial engineering, environmental and planning challenges that do not apply to the same extent at its Turkish competitor.

There is also continued political debate over where major UK transport investment should be directed.

Andy Burnham has previously criticised Heathrow expansion, arguing that it risks concentrating infrastructure spending in London rather than supporting investment in the North.

Meanwhile, other major English airports are continuing to grow.

London Stansted recorded its busiest-ever month in July, handling 3.1 million passengers – a 6.3% increase compared with the previous year.

Manchester Airport also achieved a record July, welcoming 3.4 million passengers.

The figures leave Heathrow facing competition on two fronts: from rapidly expanding international hubs such as Istanbul and from continued passenger growth at other major UK airports.

For Heathrow, losing Europe's passenger crown provides a timely argument for its £33 billion plans. But whether a third runway is ultimately the answer will remain at the centre of one of Britain's longest-running infrastructure debates.