UK’s Top 10 Largest and Busiest Airports: London Dominates the Top Three

This list takes a keen insight into the UK’s Top 10 largest airports. The United Kingdom is home to numerous of Europe’s largest airports. Some are even the largest in the world based on their capacity. Some of these airports handle over 79 million international airports annually. London serves as the largest aviation hub in the world for passenger traffic. It has over six international airports, handling over 168 million passengers in the last year alone. These statistics are the first of its kind as it handled more passenger traffic in the world than any other city. Construction Review takes a keen insight into the UK’s top ten largest airports in 2024.

1. London Heathrow Airport- London

Heathrow Airport, also known as London Airport until 1966 is the main international airport that serves England’s and the United Kingdom’s capital city. It is the largest of the six international airports that are based in London. It is also the largest aviation hub worldwide based on passenger traffic, welcoming almost 168 million passengers through its doors. The airport is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings. The largest airport in the UK accommodates close to 86 airlines and connects to over 176 destinations across the world.

2. London Gatwick Airport- London

Toppling Manchester Airport in the last year, London’s Gatwick Airport clinches second in the UK’s top 10 largest and busiest airports. Also known as Gatwick Airport, it is the secondary international airport that serves London and its neighbors. This includes Scotland and the entire United Kingdom. Based near Crawley, the airport is 48 kilometers south of London in West Sussex, England. The airport boasts as the second-busiest airport by total passenger traffic in the United Kingdom. It accommodates 50 airlines and connects the UK to over 165 destinations across the world.

3. Manchester Airport- Manchester

Ranked as the 19^thbusiest airport in Europe in 2023, Manchester Airport is the third largest airport in the United Kingdom. It is an international airport in Ringway, Manchester, England located 11 kilometers south-west of Manchester city center. 47 different airlines in the world are accommodated in this airport connecting the UK to over 146 destinations. Opening doors to over 28,096,783 passengers in the world, it was the third busiest airport in the UK in 2023.

4. London Stansted Airport- London

Serving over 160 destinations across Europe, Africa, and Asia, London’s Stansted Airport is the fourth largest and busiest airport in the UK. During the COVID 29 pandemic, it ranked second in the country, serving most of its passengers. Stansted’s runway is also used by private companies such as Harrods Aviation, Titan Airways, and XJet terminals. London Stansted Airport is the tertiary international airport serving London, England. It is located near Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, 42 mi (68 km) northeast of Central London.

5. London Luton Airport- Luton

London Luton Airport is an international airport located in Bedfordshire, England in Luton. It is considered one of the UK’s largest and busiest airports in the world. One of the reasons is its proximity, situated 2.7 kilometers east of the town center and 47 kilometers north of Central London. Over the years, the airport has peeked in the number of its passengers from 13,324,491 passengers in 2022 to 16,403,784 passengers in 2023. It connects to over 85 destinations in the world.

6. Edinburgh International Airport- Edinburgh

Located in the Ingliston area of Edinburgh, Scotland is an international airport serving most of Scotland. Considered one of the busiest airports in Scotland in 2019, the airport handles over 14.7 million passengers yearly. It is also considered the sixth busiest airport in the United Kingdom by total passengers in 2023. Over the years, it has seen a 23% increase in the number of passengers from 11,250,211 passengers in 2019 to 14,396,794 passengers in 2023. With connections to over 88 destinations in the world, it hosts 24 airlines in its airport.

7. Birmingham Airport- Metropolitan Borough of Solihull

Formerly known as Birmingham International Airport, Birmingham Airport is considered the seventh largest airport in the UK. Located 7 miles southeast of Birmingham city center, it is slightly north of Bickenhill village, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, England. Birmingham Airport supports the Midlands with extensive domestic and international flights. It also handled 11,481,365 passengers in 2023 and is known for its accessibility and user-friendly facilities.

8. Bristol Airport- Bristol

Overtaking Glasgow Airport in 2019, Bristol Airport now ranks eighth in the UK’s top 10 largest and busiest airports. Handling over 8.9 million passengers, a 3% increase compared with 2018. A passenger survey carried out in 2015 found that 32.5% of journeys using the airport started or ended in the city of Bristol. Furthermore, 9.6% in Gloucestershire, 24.5% in Somerset and 16.9% in Devon. Bristol Airport, the gateway to the South West, facilitated travel for 9,913,011 passengers in 2023. It offers a range of flights, particularly to Europe, and is expanding its reach with new routes.

9. Glasgow International Airport- Glasgow

Glasgow International Airport in Glasgow formerly known as Abbotsinch Airport is the ninth largest airport in the UK. One of Scotland’s most significant international airports, it is located in Paisley, Renfrewshire, west of Glasgow city center. In 2019, the airport handled 8.84 million passengers. Glasgow Airport is an important Scottish hub with 7,358,828 passengers in 2023, serving as a vital connection point for transatlantic, European, and domestic flights.

10. Belfast International Airport- Belfast

Considered one of the most significant airports in the world, the airport is one of the UK’s top 10 largest airports. Located 11.5 miles northwest of Ireland, it is the main airport for the city of Belfast. Until 1983, it was known as Aldergrove Airport. Belfast International is Northern Ireland’s busiest airport, with 5,957,055 passengers in 2023. It connects the region to major cities in the UK and popular vacation destinations in Europe.