The 40 Busiest Airports in the UK (2026 Guide)
Discover the UK’s busiest airports ranked by annual passenger numbers, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Stansted, Luton and more. Compare terminals, airlines, facilities, transport options and airport transfer services to help plan your next journey.
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The Complete Guide to the Busiest UK Airports
The United Kingdom has one of the world’s busiest aviation networks, connecting millions of passengers every year with destinations across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania. Whether you are travelling for business, leisure, a family holiday or an international connection, choosing the right airport can significantly improve your travel experience.
This comprehensive guide ranks the 40 busiest airports in the UK, providing useful information about passenger numbers, terminals, airlines, transport links, nearby hotels and airport transfer options. It has been created to help travellers compare airports while making it easier to arrange reliable transport before or after a flight.
As one of London’s trusted airport transfer specialists, Heathrow Gatwick Cars provides professional private transfers between all major UK airports, hotels, cruise terminals, railway stations and business destinations. Our experienced drivers operate 24 hours a day, offering fixed prices, flight monitoring, meet and greet services and executive vehicles for individuals, families and corporate travellers.
Why Airport Choice Matters
Not every airport offers the same facilities or transport connections. While Heathrow Airport is the UK’s largest international hub, other airports such as Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh provide excellent alternatives depending on your destination, airline and travel requirements.
Factors that travellers should consider include:
- International and domestic flight availability
- Number of airline choices
- Airport size and terminal layout
- Rail and motorway connections
- Parking facilities
- Business lounges
- Hotel availability
- Security waiting times
- Private airport transfer options
- Journey time from your destination
Selecting the right airport can reduce travel time, lower overall costs and make your journey considerably more comfortable.
UK Airports by Region
The United Kingdom’s airports are spread across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring convenient access for both domestic and international travellers.
London Airports
- Heathrow Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- London Stansted Airport
- London Luton Airport
- London City Airport
- London Southend Airport
Together these airports handle the majority of international passengers travelling through the United Kingdom.
Major English Airports
- Manchester Airport
- Birmingham Airport
- Bristol Airport
- Liverpool John Lennon Airport
- Newcastle Airport
- East Midlands Airport
- Leeds Bradford Airport
- Southampton Airport
- Bournemouth Airport
Scottish Airports
- Edinburgh Airport
- Glasgow Airport
- Aberdeen Airport
- Inverness Airport
Welsh Airports
- Cardiff Airport
- Anglesey Airport
Northern Ireland Airports
- Belfast International Airport
- George Best Belfast City Airport
- City of Derry Airport
Why Millions of Passengers Choose Private Airport Transfers
After a long flight, most travellers prefer a direct, reliable and comfortable journey to their final destination. Public transport can involve multiple changes, delays and limited luggage space, while taxis booked on arrival often use variable metered fares.
A pre-booked airport transfer offers a convenient alternative with professional drivers, fixed pricing and door-to-door service.
- Fixed prices with no hidden charges
- Professional licensed drivers
- Meet and greet inside airport terminals
- Real-time flight monitoring
- No extra charge for delayed flights
- Executive and luxury vehicles available
- Large MPVs for families and groups
- Business chauffeur services
- 24-hour customer support
- Advance online booking
Heathrow Gatwick Cars provides private transfers between every major airport in the United Kingdom, including long-distance journeys, cruise port transfers, hotel transfers and corporate travel.
Quick Comparison of the UK’s Busiest Airports
| Rank | Airport | Region | Primary Use | International Flights | Private Transfers Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heathrow Airport | London | International Hub | Yes | ✓ |
| 2 | Gatwick Airport | London | International & Leisure | Yes | ✓ |
| 3 | Manchester Airport | North West England | International | Yes | ✓ |
| 4 | London Stansted Airport | London | European Routes | Yes | ✓ |
| 5 | London Luton Airport | London | European & Business | Yes | ✓ |
| 6 | Birmingham Airport | West Midlands | International | Yes | ✓ |
| 7 | Edinburgh Airport | Scotland | International | Yes | ✓ |
| 8 | Bristol Airport | South West England | European | Yes | ✓ |
This is a rundown of the 40 Busiest UK Airports, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man positioned by aggregate traveller activity, arranged from Civil Aviation Authority information from 2006. For a few years, the figures additionally demonstrate add up to air ship developments and freight volume is taken care of at every aeroplane terminal. For a total rundown of United Kingdom air terminals, see the list of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies. The United Kingdom, an island nation, is home to biggest and busiest airports in Europe’s.
Heathrow Airport (LHR), which handles more than 75 million universal travellers every year, is the biggest aeroplane terminal in the United Kingdom. London fills in as the biggest flight centre point on the planet by passenger movement, with 6 universal airport terminals, taking care of more than 133 million travellers each year. Heathrow Airport Holdings (proprietor of London Heathrow), trailed by Manchester Airports Group (proprietor of Manchester, London Stansted, East Midlands and Bournemouth). Together with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, they are a piece of the Aviation Foundation which campaign for the aeronautics needs of the United Kingdom.
London’s second-busiest air terminal, London Airport Gatwick (LGW), is the world’s busiest single-runway airport.
Manchester Airport is the United Kingdom’s 3rd-busiest air terminal. London Stansted Airport and London Luton Airport are the 4th-and 5th-busiest airport terminals individually.
The 10 Busiest Airports in the United Kingdom
These airports handle the highest passenger volumes in the UK and serve as major gateways for domestic, European and long-haul international travel. Whether you are travelling for business, a family holiday or an international connection, these airports offer extensive airline networks and excellent transport links.
1. Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Location: West London
Terminals: 2, 3, 4 & 5
Annual Passengers: Over 80 million
Runways: 2
Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and one of the world’s leading international aviation hubs. Serving hundreds of destinations across six continents, Heathrow is the primary base for British Airways and a major hub for Virgin Atlantic and numerous international airlines.
The airport is particularly popular with business travellers due to its extensive long-haul network, premium lounges, fast transport connections and excellent motorway access via the M4 and M25.
Popular Destinations
- New York
- Dubai
- Singapore
- Los Angeles
- Paris
- Amsterdam
- Tokyo
- Hong Kong
Transport Options
- Elizabeth Line
- Heathrow Express
- London Underground
- National Express Coaches
- Private Airport Transfers
- Executive Chauffeur Services
Airport Transfer Services
Heathrow Gatwick Cars provides fixed-price transfers from Heathrow Airport to Central London, Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport, Luton Airport, Southampton Cruise Terminal, Dover Cruise Port, Oxford, Cambridge and destinations throughout the UK. Services include meet and greet, flight monitoring and executive vehicles available 24 hours a day.
Related Services
2. London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Location: West Sussex
Terminals: North & South
Annual Passengers: More than 40 million
Gatwick Airport is London’s second busiest airport and the UK’s second largest by passenger traffic. It serves hundreds of leisure and business destinations with a strong presence from British Airways, easyJet, TUI and many international airlines.
The airport is especially popular for European holidays, long-haul leisure routes and charter services. Excellent motorway connections via the M23 and direct rail services make Gatwick highly accessible.
Popular Destinations
- Barcelona
- Rome
- Malaga
- Dubai
- New York
- Orlando
- Athens
- Lisbon
Airport Transfers
Our drivers provide private transfers between Gatwick Airport and Heathrow, Central London, Southampton Cruise Port, Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge and every major UK destination.
Related Services
3. Manchester Airport (MAN)
Location: Greater Manchester
Terminals: 1, 2 & 3
Annual Passengers: More than 30 million
Manchester Airport is the busiest airport outside London and serves Northern England, North Wales and parts of Scotland. It offers an extensive selection of international routes including North America, Asia and the Middle East.
Major Airlines
- Jet2
- Ryanair
- easyJet
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
Private chauffeur transfers are available for long-distance journeys between Manchester Airport and London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and surrounding regions.
4. London Stansted Airport (STN)
Location: Essex
Annual Passengers: More than 29 million
London Stansted Airport is one of Europe’s busiest low-cost airline hubs. It serves more European destinations than almost any other UK airport and is the largest operating base for Ryanair.
Ideal For
- European holidays
- Business travel
- Weekend city breaks
- Budget airlines
Heathrow Gatwick Cars offers fixed-price private transfers from Stansted Airport to London, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and all major cities.
5. London Luton Airport (LTN)
Location: Bedfordshire
Annual Passengers: Approximately 18 million
Luton Airport is a major hub for easyJet, Wizz Air and Ryanair, offering affordable flights across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Its location close to the M1 motorway makes it popular with passengers travelling from London and the Midlands.
Popular Routes
- Budapest
- Warsaw
- Prague
- Barcelona
- Bucharest
6. Birmingham Airport (BHX)
Location: West Midlands
Annual Passengers: Around 13 million
Birmingham Airport serves the Midlands and offers flights throughout Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. The airport is connected directly to Birmingham International railway station and the national motorway network.
7. Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Location: Scotland
Annual Passengers: More than 15 million
Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest airport, providing direct services across Europe, North America and the Middle East. It plays an important role in Scottish tourism and international business travel.
8. Bristol Airport (BRS)
Location: South West England
Annual Passengers: Around 10 million
Bristol Airport serves travellers throughout South West England and South Wales, offering a wide choice of domestic and European destinations.
9. Glasgow Airport (GLA)
Location: Scotland
Annual Passengers: Around 8–9 million
Glasgow Airport is Scotland’s second busiest airport and provides extensive domestic, European and long-haul services. It is an important gateway for tourism, offshore energy industries and international business.
10. Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Location: Northern Ireland
Annual Passengers: Around 6 million
Belfast International Airport is Northern Ireland’s busiest airport, serving destinations throughout the UK and Europe. It is a major base for easyJet and several other scheduled and charter airlines.
Book Your Airport Transfer with Heathrow Gatwick Cars
Whether you’re travelling to or from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or any other UK airport, Heathrow Gatwick Cars provides reliable, fixed-price airport transfers 24 hours a day.
- ✓ Fixed Prices
- ✓ Meet & Greet Service
- ✓ Flight Monitoring
- ✓ Executive & Luxury Vehicles
- ✓ MPVs for Families and Groups
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- ✓ Corporate Chauffeur Services
11. Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Annual Passengers: Approximately 5 million
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is one of the North West’s leading regional airports, offering direct flights to many popular European destinations. It is particularly popular with leisure travellers and serves millions of passengers every year through airlines including easyJet and Ryanair.
Popular Destinations
- Alicante
- Palma de Mallorca
- Dublin
- Kraków
- Tenerife
Private airport transfers are available between Liverpool Airport, Manchester, Birmingham, London and other UK destinations.
12. Newcastle International Airport (NCL)
Location: Tyne and Wear
Annual Passengers: Approximately 5 million
Newcastle International Airport is the primary airport serving North East England. It offers domestic flights, European services and long-haul routes through major international airline partners.
Excellent road and Metro links make the airport easily accessible from Newcastle city centre and surrounding regions.
13. Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
Location: West Yorkshire
Annual Passengers: Around 4 million
Leeds Bradford Airport serves Yorkshire’s growing business and leisure market, with flights to more than 70 destinations across Europe.
The airport continues to expand its route network and passenger facilities.
14. East Midlands Airport (EMA)
Location: Leicestershire
Annual Passengers: Approximately 4 million
East Midlands Airport is well known for both passenger travel and freight operations. It serves the East Midlands region and provides numerous low-cost European flights together with one of the UK’s busiest cargo hubs.
15. London City Airport (LCY)
Location: Royal Docks, East London
Annual Passengers: Around 3.5 million
London City Airport is London’s closest airport to the financial district and Canary Wharf, making it the preferred choice for business travellers. Its compact terminal allows passengers to move through check-in and security quickly.
Ideal For
- Business Travel
- City Breaks
- Corporate Chauffeur Services
- Fast Airport Access
Executive chauffeur transfers to and from London City Airport are particularly popular with financial institutions, embassies and corporate clients.
16. Southampton Airport (SOU)
Location: Hampshire
Annual Passengers: Approximately 2 million
Southampton Airport provides excellent domestic and short-haul European connections. It is especially convenient for passengers travelling to Southampton Cruise Terminal before or after a cruise holiday.
Private transfers between Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Southampton Cruise Port remain one of the most popular services offered by Heathrow Gatwick Cars.
17. Cardiff Airport (CWL)
Location: South Wales
Annual Passengers: Around 1.5 million
Cardiff Airport is Wales’ principal international airport, offering scheduled flights across Europe together with seasonal holiday destinations.
The airport continues to expand routes while supporting tourism and business travel throughout Wales.
18. George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)
Location: Belfast
Annual Passengers: Around 2.5 million
Located only a few minutes from Belfast city centre, this airport is particularly popular with domestic business travellers thanks to its convenient location and fast terminal processing.
19. Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
Location: Scotland
Annual Passengers: Approximately 2 million
Aberdeen Airport supports Scotland’s energy sector and offshore industries while also offering domestic and international scheduled passenger services.
The airport is one of Europe’s busiest commercial heliports, serving North Sea oil and gas operations alongside conventional airline services.
20. Bournemouth Airport (BOH)
Location: Dorset
Annual Passengers: Around 900,000
Bournemouth Airport offers a growing range of European leisure routes and is conveniently located for passengers travelling throughout Dorset and the South Coast.
21. Exeter Airport (EXT)
Location: Devon
Annual Passengers: Approximately 1 million
Exeter Airport provides domestic services together with seasonal European destinations and serves Devon, Cornwall and the South West of England.
22. Norwich Airport (NWI)
Location: Norfolk
Annual Passengers: Around 500,000
Norwich Airport offers domestic services, European flights and helicopter operations supporting offshore energy industries in the North Sea.
23. Inverness Airport (INV)
Location: Scottish Highlands
Annual Passengers: Around 900,000
Inverness Airport is the main gateway to the Scottish Highlands, providing vital domestic links alongside selected international services.
24. Teesside International Airport (MME)
Location: North East England
Annual Passengers: Approximately 350,000
Teesside International Airport continues to grow with new domestic and European routes while supporting regional economic development throughout North East England.
25. Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA)
Status: Redevelopment and future commercial operations planned.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport previously served millions of passengers and remains an important airport infrastructure asset in South Yorkshire. Future commercial services are expected following redevelopment initiatives.
The 40 Busiest UK Airports by Total Passenger Traffic
The accompanying is a list of the 40 Busiest UK airports by aggregate passengers activity from UK CAA insights.
- Airport Ranking by International Passenger Traffic
| Ranks | Airport | Airport Codes UK IATA | ||||||
| 1 |
|
LHR | Located west of Central London, Heathrow is the UK’s largest and busiest airport, serving as a major international hub. In 2024, it handled a record 30.7 million passengers between June and September alone, with an annual forecast of 83.8 million passengers. | There is numerous business worldwide aeroplane terminals inside the United Kingdom and loads of other residential or private runways.
Heathrow Airport is presently the busiest air terminal in the UK and serves travellers for domestic flights inside and outside the rest of the UK. The United Kingdom is a small nation however it can take hours to drive from one end of the country to the next which is the reason residential domestic flights are prevalent from the smaller airport terminals. These are the Top 40 busiest airports in the UK: The above tables demonstrate the number of travellers for the main 40 busiest airports in the UK for a year ago (2016) and the year past (2015) and also the Year on Year change between them. Aeroplane terminal Information Index: 1. The busiest aeroplane terminal are positioned relying upon the number of passengers travelling to or from every air terminal. 2. Travellers may just be discovering corresponding flights from an air terminal to another destination. 3. Traveler Number information is identified with the Airport Council International evaluated entire year figures for 2016. |
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| 2 |
|
LGW | London Gatwick Airport (LGW) – Situated south of Central London, Gatwick is the second-busiest airport in the UK. In 2024, it experienced significant growth in long-haul services and projected handling 44.3 million passengers, slightly below its pre-pandemic peak. | |||||
| 3 |
|
MAN | Located in the northwest of England, Manchester Airport is the busiest airport outside of London. It has seen record traffic in the past 12 months, contributing significantly to the UK’s aviation sector. | |||||
| 4 |
|
STN | Serving as a base for several low-cost airlines, Stansted is a key gateway to Europe. It has also reported record passenger numbers in recent years. | |||||
| 5 |
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LTN | Located to the north of London, Luton primarily serves European destinations and has seen significant passenger traffic, although specific recent figures are not provided in the available sources. | |||||
| 6 |
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EDI | As Scotland’s busiest airport, Edinburgh connects passengers to numerous domestic and international destinations. | |||||
| 7 |
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BHX | Serving the Midlands, Birmingham Airport is a major hub for both domestic and international flights. | |||||
| 8 |
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GLA | One of Scotland’s main airports, Glasgow handles a substantial number of passengers annually. In November 2024, it was part of a £1.53 billion acquisition deal. | |||||
| 9 |
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BRS | Serving the southwest of England, Bristol Airport has unveiled a £400 million renovation project to expand its terminal by 70%, aiming to accommodate up to 12 million passengers annually. | |||||
| 10 | Belfast International Airport (BFS) | BFS | The busiest airport in Northern Ireland, offering flights to numerous destinations. | |||||
| 11 | Newcastle International Airport (NCL) | NCL | The primary airport for northeast England, offering flights to various domestic and international destinations. | |||||
| 12 | Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) | LPL | Recognized for its friendly staff and efficient service, contributing to a stress-free travel experience. | |||||
| 13 |
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EMA | Serving the Midlands, it is a hub for low-cost carriers and cargo flights. | |||||
| 14 |
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LCY | Located in the Docklands area, it is favored for its convenience, especially among business travelers. | |||||
| 15 |
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LBA | Serving West Yorkshire, it offers flights to various European destinations. | |||||
| 16 | Aberdeen International Airport | ABZ | A key airport in Scotland, particularly for the oil and gas industry. | |||||
| 17 |
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BHD | The busiest airport in Northern Ireland, offering flights to numerous destinations. | |||||
| 18 |
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SOU | Serving the south coast of England, it was included in the £1.53 billion sale alongside Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. | |||||
| 19 |
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JER | Serving the Channel Islands, it handles a significant number of passengers annually. | |||||
| 20 |
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CWL | The main airport in Wales, offering international and domestic flights. | |||||
| 21 |
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DSA | Serving the Scottish Highlands, it provides connections to several UK and European cities. | |||||
| 22 |
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GCI | ||||||
| 23 |
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SEN | ||||||
| 24 |
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EXT | ||||||
| 25 |
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IOM | ||||||
| 26 |
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INV | ||||||
| 27 |
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PIK | ||||||
| 28 |
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BOH | ||||||
| 29 |
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NWI | ||||||
| 30 |
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NQY | ||||||
| 31 |
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LDY | ||||||
| 32 |
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LSI | ||||||
| 33 |
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HUY | ||||||
| 34 |
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KOI | ||||||
| 35 |
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SCS | ||||||
| 36 |
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MME | ||||||
| 37 |
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SYY | ||||||
| 38 |
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ISC | ||||||
| 39 |
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LEQ | ||||||
| 40 |
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ACI | ||||||
On the other hand see the Top 10 Best Airports In The World 2017?
Please note that passenger numbers can fluctuate annually due to various factors, including airline operations, economic conditions, and global events. To get the most accurate statistics, consult official reports from the Civil Aviation Authority. You may also check the airports’ official publications.
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