In July 2025, major European airports experienced a significant surge in passenger traffic, marking a strong recovery and growth in the aviation sector.
The data from the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMÄ°) and OAG provides insights into the busiest airports in Europe, with Istanbul Airport leading the charge.
This growth reflects not only the resilience of the industry but also the impact of new infrastructure developments at airports across the continent.
Istanbul Airport, Turkey’s aviation hub, has made headlines for setting a new European record by handling 272,132 passengers in a single day on July 27, 2025. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record held by London Heathrow, which recorded 268,000 passengers in June 2024. The airport’s impressive performance is the result of strategic upgrades, including the opening of a third runway earlier in the year, which increased the airport’s hourly flight capacity from 120 to 148. The airport also recorded 1,695 daily flights on July 18, 2025, further solidifying its position as Europe’s busiest airport for July 2025.
Here’s a closer look at the passenger traffic rankings and key achievements for the top airports in Europe during July 2025.
Conclusion
The July 2025 statistics clearly demonstrate the continued rise of Istanbul Airport as a leader in European aviation, with impressive growth figures and a strategic position at the heart of the continent’s air travel network. Other major airports such as London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Frankfurt continue to play vital roles, while emerging airports like Sabiha Gökçen show impressive growth. Turkey, particularly Istanbul, has firmly established itself as a crucial transit point, with both of its airports seeing considerable growth, reinforcing the country’s central role in European and global air travel.
