Top 10 Busiest Airports in Europe
The busiest airports in Europe in 2024 such as London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Frankfurt Airport, manage millions of passengers annually. In addition, they are characterized by their large-scale passenger traffic and expansive international and regional flight networks. Thus, these airports are critical to the continent’s connectivity, trade, and tourism.
Top 10 Busiest Airports in Europe
The top busiest airports in Europe in 2024, include:
London Heathrow Airport
- Location: Hillingdon, West London, United Kingdom
- Founding Date: 1946
- Owner/Operator: Heathrow Airport Holdings
- 2024 Total Passengers: 83.9 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: Four (4) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: Over 220 destinations across 85 countries
- Main Airlines: British Airways (flag carrier and largest operator), Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Emirates
- Website: heathrow.com
Serving about 83.9 million passengers in 2024, Heathrow is Europe’s busiest airport, offering direct flights to nearly 220 destinations across about 85 countries. It is also the largest and busiest airport in the UK. Located west of Central London, in the borough of Hillingdon, it serves as a gateway to the UK for millions of passengers annually. However, the airport is operating close to full capacity, which creates persistent challenges for punctuality and congestion.
Istanbul Airport
- Location: Arnavutköy District, Istanbul, Turkey
- Founding Date: 2018
- Owner/Operator: İGA (Istanbul Grand Airport)
- 2024 Total Passengers: 79.9 million
- Runways: Two (2) runways
- Terminals: One (1) operational terminal with plans to build more
- Total Destinations: Over 270 destinations across 120 countries
- Main Airlines: Turkish Airlines (flag carrier and largest operator), Qatar Airways, Emirates, Pegasus Airlines
- Website: istanbulhavalimani.com
Istanbul Airport recorded around 79.9 million travelers in 2024, making it the 2nd busiest airport in Europe. The airport has grown rapidly due to its strategic location, serving as a bridge connecting destinations between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. However, rapid growth has led to occasional congestion and delays during peak hours. The airport is being developed in phases. When fully completed, it will have the capacity to serve over 200 million passengers annually, making it the largest in the world by passenger capacity.
Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Location: Roissy-en-France, France
- Founding Date: 1974
- Owner/Operator: Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris)
- 2024 Total Passengers: 70.3 million
- Runways: Four (4) runways
- Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: Over 320 destinations across 120 countries
- Main Airlines: Air France, Emirates, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines
- Website: parisaeroport.fr
Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest international airport in France and one of the busiest in Europe. Named after the French statesman Charles de Gaulle, the airport offers flights to over 320 destinations in 120+ countries. Thus, it is a key hub for passengers and cargo travelling between France and global destinations.
Amsterdam Schiphol
- Location: Haarlemmermeer, North Holland, Netherlands
- Founding Date: 1916
- Owner/Operator: Royal Schiphol Group
- 2024 Total Passengers: 66.8 million
- Runways: Six (6) runways
- Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: Over 300 destinations across 120 countries
- Main Airlines: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Air France, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, EasyJet, Emirates, British Airways, and many others
- Website: Schiphol Airport Official Website
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands and one of Europe’s busiest in 2024. Located in Haarlemmermeer, Schiphol offers connections to over 300 destinations across more than 100 countries. However, the airport faces intense competition from other major European hubs like Heathrow, Charles de Gaulle, and Frankfurt.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Founding Date: 1931
- Owner/Operator: AENA (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea)
- 2024 Total Passengers: 66.2 million
- Runways: Four (4) parallel runways
- Terminals: Five (5) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: Over 200 destinations across 75 countries
- Main Airlines: Iberia Airlines (flag carrier of Spain), Air Europa, Ryan Air, & Vueling
- Website: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Frankfurt am Main Airport
- Location: Frankfurt, Germany
- Founding Date: 1931
- Owner/Operator: Fraport AG
- Total Passengers: 61.6 million
- Runways: Four (4) parallel runways
- Terminals: Two (2) operational terminals and 1 under construction
- Total Destinations: Over 300 destinations across 100 countries
- Main Airlines: Lufthansa (flag operator), Condor Airlines, Euro wings
- Website: Frankfurt am Main Airport
Frankfurt am Main Airport is Germany’s largest and busiest airport and one of the busiest in Europe. It serves as a critical connection point for both passenger and cargo traffic, with a vast network that spans across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. About 61.6 million travelers passed through the airport in 2024. With its vast infrastructure and extensive connectivity, FRA plays a critical role in Germany’s transportation, trade, and tourism industries.
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport
- Location: El Prat de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
- Founding Date: 1916
- Owner/Operator: AENA (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea)
- 2024 Total Passengers: 55 million
- Runways: Three (3) parallel runways
- Terminals: Two (2) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: Over 190 destinations in 60 countries
- Main Airlines: Vueling, Ryanair, Iberia, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Qatar Airways
- Website: Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) is Spain’s 2nd busiest airport and a major international gateway in Southern Europe. It serves as a crucial hub in the Mediterranean region, serving Barcelona, the wider Catalonia region in Spain, and Southern Europe. Also, the airport serves as a base for connecting Europe with key destinations in Latin America, North America, Asia, and Africa. The airport serves as a base for Iberia and Vueling. Barcelona-El Prat Airport recorded a passenger volume of 55 million in 2024, confirming its position as the second largest airport in Spain and an important hub in the Mediterranean region.
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
- Location: Fiumicino, Rome, Italy
- Founding Date: 1961
- Operator: Aeroporti di Roma (ADR)
- Owner: Atlantia Group (majority stake in ADR)
- 2024 Total Passengers: 45.7 million
- Runways: Four (4) parallel runways
- Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: Over 240 destinations in 76 countries
- Main Airlines: ITA Airways, Vueling, Ryanair, Air France
- Website: Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Italy and Europe in 2024. Located about 35 kilometers southwest of Rome, it serves as the primary international gateway to Italy. Fiumicino Airport connects to over 200 destinations worldwide. Its extensive network spans Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, supporting both business and leisure travel.
Sheremetyevo International Airport
- Location: Moscow
- Founding Date: 1959
- Owner/Operator: International Airport Sheremetyevo
- Total Passengers: 43.7 million
- Runways: Three(3) parallel runways
- Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals.
- Total Destinations: Over 125 destinations in 26 countries
- Main Airlines: Aeroflot, Nordwind, Pobeda, Rossiya, and Smartavia
- Website: Sheremetyevo Airport
Sheremetyevo is one of the largest and busiest airports in Russia and Europe in 2024. Located about 29 kilometers northwest of Moscow city center, it serves as a major hub for international flights, particularly to destinations in West Asia, north Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia, and the Caucasus region.
Gatwick Airport
- Location: Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom
- Founding Date: 1958
- Operator: Gatwick Airport Limited.
- Owner: VINCI Airports (majority stake).
- 2024 Total Passengers: 43.2 million
- Runways: One (1) parallel runway
- Terminals: Two (2) operational terminals
- Total Destinations: Over 200 destinations in 90 countries
- Main Airlines: British Airways, Easy Jet UK, TUI, Vueling, Wizz Air UK
- Website: Gatwick Airport.
Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the second busiest airport in the UK by passenger traffic, after Heathrow, and 10th busiest in Europe. Located 45 kilometers south of Central London, it plays a vital role in connecting the UK to global destinations. In 2024, the airport connected 43.2 million passengers to over 200 destinations across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
