Istanbul Airport overtakes Heathrow as Europe’s busiest hub

Istanbul Airport has overtaken London Heathrow to become Europe’s busiest airport. In July, the Turkish hub handled approximately 8.15 million passengers, surpassing Heathrow’s 7.86 million for the same month.

The competition between the two major hubs has been closely contested throughout 2026. While Heathrow managed to maintain a narrow lead during parts of the year, Istanbul’s growth allowed it to claim the top spot in July. Data from the Turkey Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure indicates that of Istanbul's July passengers, over 6.3 million were traveling on international routes.

Despite its scale as the largest airport under one roof, Istanbul Airport faces operational challenges. Reports highlight issues such as long taxiing times, extended walking distances between gates, and high costs for amenities. This contrasts with the former primary hub, Atatürk Airport, which was noted for its more central location and accessibility.