Top 15 Biggest Airports in the UK by Air Traffic

The United Kingdom has a well-developed aviation industry with some of the busiest airports in Europe.

These airports have been instrumental in connecting the UK to the rest of the world and facilitating international trade, tourism, and business. In this article, we will be looking at the top 15 biggest airports in the UK measured by airplane traffic, their original names, and exact data in numbers about air traffic.

1. Heathrow Airport, London (LHR)

Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the UK and the sixth busiest airport in the world, handling over 80 million passengers in 2019.

The airport was originally called London Airport and was opened in 1946. In 1966, it was renamed Heathrow Airport.

Heathrow has four operational terminals and serves over 200 destinations worldwide.

Heathrow Airport is a major hub for international travel and a significant contributor to the UK’s economy.

2. Gatwick Airport, London (LGW)

With over 46 million passengers handled in 2019, Gatwick Airport (LGW) ranks as the second busiest airport in the UK and ninth busiest in Europe.

The airport, which first opened in 1958, operates under the name Gatwick Airport and offers connectivity to more than 200 global destinations.

It is a significant hub for low-cost airlines.

3. Manchester Airport (MAN)

In 2019, Manchester Airport welcomed over 29 million passengers, securing its place as the third busiest airport in the UK.

The airport, originally known as Ringway Airport, was established in 1938.

With connectivity to more than 210 destinations worldwide, Manchester Airport acts as a crucial hub for the northern region of England.

4. Stansted Airport, London (STN)

With a passenger volume exceeding 28 million in 2019, Stansted Airport stands as the UK’s fourth busiest airport.

The airport began operations in 1943.

It offers connectivity to more than 170 global destinations and serves as a significant hub for low-cost airlines.

Stansted Airport is located in Essex, around 40 miles north-east of central London, and is owned and operated by Manchester Airports Group.

5. Luton Airport, London (LTN)

Luton Airport, which opened as Luton International Airport in 1938, ranks as the UK’s fifth busiest airport with more than 17 million passengers served in 2019.

The airport is a significant hub for low-cost airlines and offers connectivity to over 100 destinations worldwide.

6. Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

Edinburgh Airport, established in 1947 as Turnhouse Airport, is the sixth busiest airport in the UK with over 14 million passengers handled in 2019.

The airport offers connectivity to more than 140 global destinations and serves as a significant hub for Scotland.

7. Birmingham Airport (BHX)

Birmingham Airport, which commenced operations as Elmdon Airport in 1939, is the seventh busiest airport in the UK with a passenger traffic of over 13 million in 2019.

The airport serves more than 140 destinations worldwide and acts as a significant hub for the Midlands region.

8. Glasgow Airport (GLA)

Glasgow Airport, established in 1966 as Abbotsinch Airport, ranks as the UK’s eighth busiest airport with over 9 million passengers handled in 2019.

The airport offers connectivity to more than 120 global destinations and is a significant hub for Scotland.

9. Bristol Airport (BRS)

With more than 8 million passengers handled in 2019, Bristol Airport secures its position as the UK’s ninth busiest airport.

The airport, which opened as Lulsgate Airport in 1957, offers connectivity to over 120 global destinations and serves as a significant hub for the southwest region of England.

10. Belfast International Airport (BFS)

Belfast International Airport is the tenth busiest airport in the UK, handling over 6 million passengers in 2019.

The airport was originally called Aldergrove Airport and was opened in 1917. It serves over 80 destinations worldwide and is a major hub for Northern Ireland.

11. Newcastle Airport (NCL)

Newcastle Airport, established in 1935 as Woolsington Aerodrome, ranks as the eleventh busiest airport in the UK with more than 5 million passengers handled in 2019.

The airport offers connectivity to over 80 global destinations and serves as a significant hub for the northeast region of England.

12. East Midlands Airport (EMA)

East Midlands Airport, which commenced operations as Nottingham East Midlands Airport in 1965, is the twelfth busiest airport in the UK with over 4 million passengers handled in 2019.

The airport offers connectivity to more than 80 global destinations and serves as a significant hub for the East Midlands region.

13. Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)

Liverpool John Lennon Airport, established in 1933 as Speke Airport, ranks as the thirteenth busiest airport in the UK with over 4 million passengers handled in 2019.

The airport offers connectivity to over 70 global destinations and serves as a significant hub for the northwest region of England.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is named after the famous Beatles’ member who was born and raised in Liverpool, and features a statue of him in the departure hall.

The airport has undergone significant development in recent years, including the expansion of its terminal building and runway.

14. London City Airport (LCY)

London City Airport, which opened in 1987 as the City Airport, is the fourteenth busiest airport in the UK with over 4 million passengers handled in 2019.

The airport offers connectivity to more than 40 global destinations and serves as a significant hub for business travelers.

15. Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ)

Aberdeen International Airport, established in 1934 as Dyce Aerodrome, ranks as the fifteenth busiest airport in the UK with over 3 million passengers handled in 2019.

The airport offers connectivity to more than 40 global destinations and serves as a significant hub for the oil and gas industry.

Air Traffic and Passenger Volume in UK Airports

The top 15 biggest airports in the UK are important gateways to the world, connecting millions of passengers to different destinations globally. They have undergone significant transformations over the years, both in terms of infrastructure and technology, to meet the growing demand for air travel.

The data provided here offers a glimpse into the tremendous amount of air traffic and people arriving and departing these airports each year, highlighting their significant role in the UK economy and the world at large.