Uk's Major Airports: How Many Are There?

The United Kingdom is home to many of Europe's largest and busiest airports. London Heathrow, which handles over 79 million international passengers annually, is the largest airport in the UK. London serves as the largest aviation hub in the world by passenger traffic, with six international airports handling over 168 million passengers in 2023. London's second-busiest airport, Gatwick, was the world's busiest single-runway airport until 2016. Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, with 86 airlines operating and serving flights to and from 171 destinations.

London Heathrow: handles 79+ million international passengers annually

London Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in the United Kingdom and Europe, handling over 79 million international passengers annually. Located around 23 kilometres west of London's city centre, Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world. It serves as a hub for Greater London, southern Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, western Hertfordshire, and northwest Surrey.

Heathrow Airport boasts an extensive network of connections, catering to a vast number of passengers. The airport currently has three active terminals (Terminals 2, 4, and 5), with Terminal 5 exclusively built for British Airways. The airport's capacity nears 80 million passengers per year, and it has exceeded this limit on several occasions. Heathrow's vast reach and extensive links make it a preferred choice for travellers, but it also faces criticism for overcrowding and increasing flight delays.

The airport offers convenient transport options to central London. The Heathrow Express train takes only 15 minutes to reach the city centre, and London taxis and Uber services are readily available outside the terminals. Heathrow's proximity to London and its efficient transport connections make it a popular gateway to the city and the UK for international travellers.

Heathrow Airport is also a significant contributor to air cargo traffic. In 2021, the airport accounted for approximately 1.67 million metric tons of cargo, playing a vital role in the movement of goods and contributing to the UK's aviation market.

London Gatwick: world's busiest single-runway airport until 2016

London Gatwick, located 29.5 miles south of Central London, is the UK's second-busiest airport and was the world's busiest single-runway airport until 2016. It is also Europe's busiest single-runway airport. Gatwick has two runways, but they are too close together to be used simultaneously, so it is classed as a single-runway airport.

The airport opened in 1958 and has been in use for commercial flights since 1933. In 2023, it registered 41 million passenger visits and 253,000 aircraft movements. The majority of planes take off and land on the main runway, which is 10,879 feet long, while the second runway, 8,415 feet long, is typically used as a taxiway.

Gatwick is a hub for British Airways and the largest operating base for low-cost carrier easyJet. It has one of Europe's most extensive rail links, with direct service to 120 stations.

In the UK, there are several major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Luton, and London Southend. Heathrow is the largest airport in the UK and one of the busiest airports in the world.

Manchester Airport: third-busiest airport in the UK

Manchester Airport is the third-busiest airport in the UK, and the busiest outside of London. It is located in Ringway, Manchester, England, 7 miles (or 9 miles according to another source) southwest of Manchester city centre. The airport is made up of three passenger terminals and one cargo terminal, and is one of only two airports in the UK with two runways that span over 10,000 feet in length.

Manchester Airport first opened in June 1938 and was known as Ringway Airport. During World War II, it served as the Royal Air Force Ringway station, playing an important role in the production and repair of aircraft, as well as the training of parachutists. After the war, the airport was returned to civilian use and expanded rapidly. By 1958, it was handling 500,000 passengers per year, and in 1975, it officially became Manchester International Airport.

The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, including the addition of a second runway in the 1990s, which solidified its position as one of the busiest airports in the UK. Today, Manchester Airport serves over 100 airlines and offers flights to nearly 200 destinations worldwide, handling around 28 million passengers annually. It is recognised as the main international gateway for the north of England and is the largest regional airport in the UK.

The airport is well-connected to the city, with regular train services to Manchester Piccadilly and a range of local and regional bus services, including a 24-hour bus service for late-night flights. Manchester Airport also offers a variety of services for travellers, including airport lounges, duty-free shops, restaurants, currency exchange booths, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

London Stansted: fourth-busiest airport in the UK

London Stansted Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in the UK, serving over 27 million passengers annually as of 2018. It is located 42 miles (68km) northeast of Central London, near Stansted Mountfitchet, Uttlesford, Essex. Stansted is the third-busiest airport in London, after Heathrow and Gatwick, and handles a 50:50 ratio of UK and non-UK passengers.

Stansted is a base for several European low-cost carriers, including being the largest base for Ryanair, serving over 150 destinations. The airport has one main passenger terminal, which opened in 1991, and three passenger satellites containing the departure gates. The terminal was designed by Foster and Partners and is regarded as influential for airport architecture. The building features open canopies that visually connect the landside and airside and challenged conventional airport layouts by relocating essential services underground.

Stansted has been converted to civil use from RAF Stansted Mountfitchet in the late 1940s and was used by charter airlines. It came under the control of the British Airports Authority in 1966. The airport has seen several expansions and developments over the years, including a major expansion programme between 2007 and 2009, which added nearly 5,900 square metres of floor space.

In 2023, Stansted announced a £1.1 billion expansion plan, including a £600 million terminal extension, to increase its capacity to serve up to 43 million passengers per year. This expansion is expected to add 200 flights per day and create over 5,000 jobs over five years.

London Luton: fifth-busiest airport in the UK

London Luton Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in the UK. It is located in Luton, England, just outside of London, and is one of London's six international airports. In 2023, London Luton Airport served over 16 million passengers, a record for the airport. It is the fourth-largest airport serving the London area, after Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.

London Luton Airport has a long history, dating back to its opening on July 16, 1938, as Luton Municipal Airport. During World War II, it was used by the Royal Air Force, and commercial activity resumed in 1952. Luton Airport played a significant role in the development of the package holiday business in the 1960s, and by 1969, a fifth of all holiday flights from the UK departed from there. The airport experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers over the years, with a decline in the 1980s due to competition from London Stansted Airport. However, it regained its momentum in the 1990s with the arrival of new operators and low-cost scheduled flights, making it the fastest-growing major airport in the UK during that period.

The airport has undergone several development and expansion projects over the years, including terminal upgrades, runway improvements, and the addition of new facilities. It boasts excellent public transport links to central London, with frequent bus and train services operating throughout the day. London Luton Airport is also notable for its role as a base for several airlines, including easyJet, TUI Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.

In terms of the UK's major airports, London Heathrow Airport is the largest and busiest, handling over 79 million international passengers annually. London, as a whole, serves as the largest aviation hub in the world by passenger traffic, with its six international airports handling over 168 million passengers in 2023. Manchester Airport is the third-busiest airport in the UK, followed by London Stansted and London Luton.

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