Heathrow says need for expansion ‘clear’ as it loses title of Europe’s busiest airport
Heathrow Airport has lost its status as Europe's busiest airport to Istanbul, citing a decline in passenger numbers and the impact of regional conflicts. The airport is using this shift to bolster its argument for government approval of a third runway expansion.
Why it matters
The competition between major international hubs reflects broader shifts in global travel patterns and the economic necessity of infrastructure expansion.
Heathrow airport’s July passenger total was 1.5% down compared with the same month last year. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Heathrow airport’s July passenger total was 1.5% down compared with the same month last year. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Heathrow airport Heathrow says need for expansion ‘clear’ as it loses title of Europe’s busiest airport West London airport reports 7.86 million passengers in July, compared with 8.15 million for Istanbul
Prefer the Guardian on Google Heathrow airport has argued “the case for expansion has never been clearer” after it lost its position as Europe’s busiest airport to Istanbul.
Figures published on Tuesday showed 7.86 million passengers passed through Heathrow’s four terminals in July,whereas its Turkish counterpart recorded 8.15 million passengers over the same period.
Annual figures from the trade body Airports Council International show Heathrow was Europe’s busiest airport from 1996 to 2019.
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