Top 10 Busiest Airports in the UK

The Busiest airports in the UK serve as pivotal gateways not just for travelers but also for the economic vitality of a region. The UK hosts numerous airports, from large international hubs to smaller regional terminals.

These airports are key drivers of economic growth, supporting tourism, trade, and logistics.

Busiest Airports in the UK

The busiest airports in the UK refer to airports with the highest passenger traffic, typically measured by the total number of passengers (arrivals and departures) handled annually.

Below are the top ten busiest airports in the UK:

London Heathrow Airport 

• Location: Hillingdon, West London
• Founding Date: 1946
• Area of Operations: Greater London
• 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 busiest airport in the UK & Europe, offering direct flights to nearly 220 destinations across about 85 countries. 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.

Gatwick Airport

• Location: Crawley, West Sussex
• Founding Date: 1958
• Area of Operations: Greater London
• Owner & Operator: Gatwick Airport Limited.
• 2024 Total Passengers: 43.2 million
• Runways: One (1) parallel runway
• Terminals: Two (2) operational terminal
• Total Destinations: Over 200 destinations in 90 countries
• Main Airlines: British Airways, Easy Jet UK, TUI, Vueling, Wizz Air UK

Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the second busiest airport in the UK by passenger traffic, after Heathrow. 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.

Manchester Airport

• Location: Ringway, Manchester, England,
• Founding Date: 1938
• Area of Operations: Greater Manchester
• Owner/Operator: Manchester Airports Group
• 2024 Total Passengers: 30.9 million
• Runways: Two (2) parallel runway
• Terminals: Three (3) operational terminals
• Total Destinations: 187 destinations in 56 countries
• Main Airlines: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Aer Lingus
• Website: Manchester Airport

Located in the Ringway, Manchester, it is among the busiest airports in the UK. Also, Manchester Airport is the largest outside London, serving the North of England. It processed over 30.9 million passengers in 2024, connecting travelers to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America.

London Stansted Airport

• Location: Stansted Mountfitchet, Uttlesford, Essex
• Founding Date: 1943
• Area of Operations: Greater Manchester
• Owner/Operator: Manchester Airports Group
• 2024 Total Passengers: 29.7 million
• Runways: One (1) parallel runway
• Terminals: One (1) operational terminal
• Total Destinations: 200 destinations in 40 countries
• Main Airlines: Ryan Air, TUI Airways, Jet2.com
• Website: London Stansted Airport

A favorite among low-cost carriers, Stansted Airport, located 42 miles away from Central London, catered to around 28 million passengers in 2023. The airport is a key base for Ryanair, providing comprehensive routes across Europe. As one of the busiest airports in the UK, it links passengers to around 160 destinations and is a base for multiple low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair.

London Luton Airport

• Location: Luton
• Founding Date: 1938
• Area of Operations: Greater London, East of England
• Owner: Luton Rising
• Operator: London Luton Airport Operations Ltd (Aena 51%; AMP Capital 49%)
• 2023 Total Passengers: 16.7 million
• Runways: One (1) parallel runway
• Terminals: One (1) operational terminal
• Total Destinations: 126 destinations in 39 countries
• Main Airlines: Easy Jet, Wizz Air UK, Ryan Air, TUI Airways, Jet2.com
• Website: Luton Airport

London Luton Airport is in Bedfordshire, England. It is the 5th busiest airport in the UK, handling a record 16.7 million passengers in 2024. Luton Airport is among the four largest airports in London among the city’s six international airports. The airport is a key gateway for leisure travel, with airlines like Wizz Air and easyJet operating frequent services.

Edinburgh Airport 

• Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
• Founding Date: 1947
• Area of Operations: Edinburgh
• Owner & Operator: Edinburgh Airport Limited
• 2024 Total Passengers: 15.8 million
• Runways: One (1) parallel runway
• Terminals: Two (2) operational terminals
• Total Destinations: 150 destinations
• Main Airlines: Ryan Air, Easy Jet UK, Jet2.com, Loganair
• Website: Edinburgh Airport

As the busiest airport in Scotland, Edinburgh Airport saw 15.8 million passengers in 2024. It plays a vital role in connecting Scotland to the rest of the UK and international destinations in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Beyond

Birmingham Airport 

• Location: Bickenhill
• Founding Date: 1939
• Area of Operations: West Midlands conurbation, City of Coventry, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire
• Owner:
  • Seven metropolitan boroughs of West Midlands County (49%)
  • The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (48.25%)
  • Employees (2.75%)
• Operator: Birmingham Airport Ltd
• 2023 Total Passengers: 11.5 million
• Runways: One (1) parallel runway
• Terminals: One (1) operational terminal
• Total Destinations: 130 destinations in 40 countries
• Main Airlines: Ryan Air, TUI Airways, Jet2.com, Easy Jet
• Website: Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport is among the busiest airports in the UK. The airport supports the Midlands with extensive domestic and international flights to Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America destinations. Also, the airport handled 11.5 million passengers in 2023.

Bristol Airport 

• Location: Lulsgate Bottom, North Somerset
• Founding Date: 1957
• Area of Operations: Bristol
• Owner & Operator: Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
• 2023 Total Passengers: 9.9 million
• Runways: One (1) parallel runway
• Terminals: One (1) operational terminal
• Total Destinations: 117 destinations in 35 countries
• Main Airlines: Ryan Air, TUI Airways, Jet2.com, EasyJet
• Website: Bristol Airport

As one of UK’s busiest airport, Bristol Airport, the gateway to the South West, facilitated travel for 9.9 million passengers in 2023. It offers a range of flights, mainly to Europe.

Glasgow Airport

• Location: Glasgow, Scotland
• Founding Date: 1966
• Area of Operations: Greater Glasgow
• Owner & Operator: AGS Airports
• 2023 Total Passengers: 7.4 million
• Runways: One (1) parallel runway
• Terminals: Two (2) operational terminals
• Total Destinations: 82 destinations in 29 countries
• Main Airlines: EasyJet, TUI Airways, Jet2.com
• Website: Glasgow Airport

Glasgow Airport is an important Scottish hub with 7.4 million passengers in 2023, serving as a vital connection point for destinations in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

Belfast International Airport

• Location: Aldergrove, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
• Founding Date: 1983
• Area of Operations: Belfast
• Owner & Operator: Vinci Airports
• 2023 Total Passengers: 6 million
• Runways: One (1) parallel runway
• Terminals: One (1) operational terminal
• Total Destinations: 64 destinations in 23 countries
• Main Airlines: Ryan Air, TUI Airways, Jet2.com, EasyJet
• Website: Belfast Airport

Belfast International is Northern Ireland’s busiest airport, with roughly 6 million passengers in 2023. It connects the region to major cities in the UK and popular vacation destinations in Europe.