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Istanbul Airport, located in Turkey, is the second busiest airport in Europe, after London Heathrow. It is also the seventh busiest airport in the world, handling over 76 million passengers in 2023. The airport covers 19,000 acres and is an important hub for Turkish Airlines, connecting to 122 countries. Spain has the largest domestic airline capacity of any European country, followed by Turkey and France, which is home to the continent's third busiest airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Busiest airport in Europe | London Heathrow |
| Busiest airport in the European Union | Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport |
| Second busiest airport in Europe | Istanbul Airport |
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What You'll Learn
London Heathrow: busiest airport in Europe
London Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe. However, it did not receive any awards, unlike Singapore Changi, which was crowned the World's Best Airport for the 13th time by Skytrax. In 2025, London was also recognised as having the world's busiest city airport system by passenger count.
Heathrow Airport is a major hub for travel to and from the United States, with flights to Nashville, New Orleans, and Anchorage. The airport is also a key gateway to Asia, with British Airways operating flights to Dubai International Airport, which was ranked 11th in the world in 2025.
In addition to its high passenger traffic, Heathrow has an extensive range of facilities. Heathrow Terminal 3 hosts low-cost airlines, and the airport is known for its large area, playing a crucial role in global and European air traffic.
London City Airport, another airport in the UK, has also been recognised for its scenic views and was ranked 7th in the world for the most beautiful airport landings.
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Paris Charles de Gaulle: largest airport in France
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest and busiest international airport in France. It is located in Roissy-en-France, about 23 kilometres (14 miles) northeast of Paris. The airport is named after World War II leader and former French President Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970). In 2024, the airport handled 70,290,260 passengers and 460,916 aircraft movements, making it the world's ninth busiest airport and Europe's third busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport covers 32.38 square kilometres (12.50 sq mi) of land and has three terminals. Terminal 1, the oldest, features an avant-garde design with a ten-storey circular building surrounded by seven satellite buildings, each with six gates that allow sunlight to enter through apertures. Terminal 2, the largest terminal, was originally built exclusively for Air France but has since been expanded to accommodate other airlines. It has seven sub-terminal buildings (2A to 2G), with 2A to 2F interconnected by elevated walkways. Terminal 3, formerly known as "Terminal 9", hosts charter and low-cost airlines.
The airport offers a wide range of services for arriving and departing passengers, including international restaurants, shops, banks, ATMs, currency exchanges, mail offices, lounges, and free Wi-Fi. The airport is well-connected to the city centre by train, bus, and taxi services. The high-speed TGV and regional RER B train services connect the airport to various destinations across France and neighbouring countries. Bus services include the Roissybus, Noctilien night buses, and local buses 350 and 351.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is known for its impressive art exhibitions, including the Espace Musées in Departure Hall M of Terminal 2E, which hosts unique exhibitions throughout the year. The airport is managed by Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris) and serves as the principal hub for Air France and other legacy carriers. It is technically not located in Paris but in the suburban commune of Roissy-en-France, which is why it is sometimes referred to as Roissy Airport.
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Istanbul Airport: second busiest airport in Europe
Istanbul Airport in Turkey was ranked as the busiest airport in Europe during the period from 21 April to 27 April 2025, according to data from the European Aviation Overview Report. The airport recorded an average of 1,482 daily flights during this period, a 4% increase from the previous year, and a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2019. This placed it ahead of other European airports such as Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle, and Frankfurt.
Istanbul Airport's rise to become Europe's busiest airport was facilitated by its innovative infrastructure. On 17 April 2025, the airport commenced simultaneous triple runway operations, becoming the first airport in Europe to have three runways. This development contributed to the airport's ability to handle a significant volume of flights and passengers.
In 2024, Istanbul Airport handled approximately 80 million passengers, according to data from the State Airports General Directorate (DHMI). This passenger traffic solidified the airport's position as not only the busiest in Europe but also the second busiest worldwide, second only to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States.
Istanbul Airport's recognition as Europe's second busiest airport is a testament to its efficient operations and increasing popularity as a travel hub. The airport has also been acknowledged for its family-friendly environment, receiving the title of the World's Most Family-Friendly Airport in 2025. With its continuous improvements and focus on passenger experience, Istanbul Airport is poised to maintain its position as one of the leading airports in the world.
Istanbul Airport's achievements reflect Turkey's strategic investments in aviation infrastructure and the country's growing role in global travel. The airport's ability to attract a high volume of flights and passengers contributes to Turkey's economy and reinforces its position as a significant transportation hub connecting Europe and Asia.
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Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport: second-largest airport in Europe
London has the busiest airport system in Europe by passenger count. However, when it comes to individual airports, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is a top contender. It is the second-largest airport in Europe by physical size, spanning 3,050 hectares (7,500 acres or 30.5 square kilometres). The airport is located within the city limits of Madrid, just 9 kilometres (6 miles) from the financial district and 13 kilometres (8 miles) from the historic centre.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is the main international airport serving Madrid, Spain's capital city. It is also the only airport serving the area. The airport is named after Adolfo Suárez, Spain's first prime minister after Franco's dictatorship. The airport was renamed in 2014, following Suárez's death.
The airport first opened in 1931, with regular commercial operations beginning two years later. In the 1950s, the airport supported over half a million passengers and had five runways. By the 1970s, large jets were landing at Barajas, and the growth of traffic, mainly due to tourism, exceeded forecasts. The airport continued to expand, and in 2006, the new Terminal 4 was inaugurated, designed by a team of award-winning architects. Terminal 4 is one of the world's largest airport terminals in terms of area.
Today, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is one of Europe's most important aviation centres, serving over 50 million travellers annually. It is a hub for Iberia and Air Europa and a focus city for Ryanair and Iberojet. The airport has five passenger terminals and is well-connected to the city of Madrid via public transportation, including buses, subways, and trains.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta: world's busiest airport
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, is the world's busiest airport. It has held this title every year since 1998, except for 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a dip in passenger traffic. Atlanta quickly regained its top position in 2021 and has maintained it since.
The Airports Council International measures the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic, defined as the total number of passengers enplaned, deplaned, and in direct transit.
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta's prominence is underscored by the fact that, as of 2024, the United States boasts the most airports in the top 50 list, with 15, followed closely by China with 11. North America dominates in terms of regional representation, with 17 airports in the top 50, while Europe hosts only eight.
While Atlanta's airport excels in passenger traffic, other airports stand out for different reasons. Singapore Changi Airport has been named the World's Best Airport by Skytrax, an air transport rating organization. Changi offers a plethora of amenities, including a 10-story shopping mall, indoor gardens, spas, hotels, art exhibitions, and even a dinosaur theme park. Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is also noteworthy, having served a record 52.7 million passengers in 2024.
In Europe, London Heathrow is the busiest airport by passenger count. However, in the Skytrax rankings for 2025, it did not receive any awards. The highest-ranked European airports were Munich, Zurich, and Helsinki-Vantaa, which placed 9th, 10th, and 12th, respectively.
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Frequently asked questions
The busiest airport in Europe is London Heathrow, in the United Kingdom. However, excluding Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine, Spain has the largest domestic airline capacity of any country in Europe.
The busiest airport in the world is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest airport in Europe by area, covering 32.38 square kilometres.
