Istanbul becomes Europe’s busiest airport

Istanbul Airport has overtaken Heathrow as Europe’s busiest airport after handling 8.15 million passengers in July, compared with Heathrow’s 7.9 million.

The airport handled 38.39 million international passengers in the first six months of 2026, according to preliminary data from the Airports Council International (ACI).

South Korea's Incheon has become the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic for the first time, new figures show.

Incheon airport had 38.39m international passengers in first half of 2026, as traffic diverted from Middle East hubs South Korea’s Incheon airport has become the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, in part due to disruption in the Middle East caused by the Iran war. The airport, South Korea’s main gat

Heathrow said the case for expansion has “never been clearer” after it was overtaken by Istanbul as Europe’s busiest airport. The West London transport hub has long been Europe’s busiest travel destination, and is currently locked in a dispute with the regulator over its plans for a third runway.  “The case for expansi

Istanbul overtakes Heathrow whose passenger numbers on Middle East routes fell 20.2% year-on-year.

The west London airport said 7.86 million passengers passed through its four terminals in July, whereas its Turkish rival recorded 8.15 million.

The west London airport said 7.86 million passengers passed through its four terminals in July, whereas its Turkish rival recorded 8.15 million.

The west London airport said 7.86 million passengers passed through its four terminals in July, whereas its Turkish rival recorded 8.15 million.

July was the busiest month in Dublin Airport's history, according to operator daa, recording more than 3.8m passengers last month.

Just under 22 million passengers have travelled through the airport in the first seven months of the year.