The most important facts about “Largest airport in Europe by passenger volume”
- London Heathrow Airport handled 79.1 million passengers in 2023, putting it at the top of the list of Europe’s largest airports.
- Istanbul Airport, which handled 76.03 million passengers in 2023, serves as an important bridge between Europe and Asia.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle, with 67.42 million travellers, is the largest airport in France and ranks third in Europe.
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remains the world’s largest airport with 104.7 million passengers.
Did you have a flight delay or cancellation? Check your rights now and increase your chances of compensation
Nowadays, travellers no longer just go on holiday by car – especially not if they are travelling across national borders. This is why airports have become an integral part of the travel and economic infrastructure. Especially in Europe, a hub of global routes, airports are evidence of the enormous mobility. Find out which are the top 10 largest airports in Europe in terms of passenger numbers.
Largest airports in Europe by passengers in 2023
What are the 10 largest airports in Europe by passenger numbers? Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 biggest and largest airports in Europe.
1st place: London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Great Britain
With around 79.1 million passengers in 2023, London Heathrow Airport once again confirms its status as Europe’s leading air transport hub. As one of the best-connected airports, Heathrow offers direct flights to almost 220 destinations in around 85 countries.
2nd place: Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey
Istanbul Airport (IST) recorded around 76.03 million travellers in 2023, making it the second largest airport in Europe. Thanks to its geographical location between Europe and Asia, IST builds a bridge between the two continents.
3rd place: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France
Paris Airport, with 67.42 million travellers in 2023, ranks 3rd in the ranking and is the largest airport in France.
Its namesake was a general and statesman who became known as the leader of Free France during the Second World War and later served as President of the Fifth French Republic.
4th place: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands
Our neighbouring country is home to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, which attracted an impressive 61.89 million travellers in 2023. The oldest international flight connection has existed here since 1920: Amsterdam – Hamburg. Travellers can now reach 288 destinations worldwide from Amsterdam.
5th place: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), Spain
With a passenger volume of 60.18 million in 2023, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport emphasises its role as Spain’s most important gateway to the world. This airport was named after the Spanish politician who played a key role as Spain’s first democratically elected prime minister.
6th place: Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA), Germany
59.36 million travellers passed through Frankfurt am Main Airport in 2023. As one of the busiest airports in Europe, Frankfurt offers direct flights to over 290 destinations in 92 countries.
7th place: Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), Spain
Barcelona-El Prat Airport recorded a passenger volume of 49.88 million in 2023, confirming its position as the second largest airport in Spain and an important hub in the Mediterranean region.
8th place: London Gatwick Airport (LGW), Great Britain
In 2023, 40.90 million passengers travelled through London Gatwick Airport. As London’s second largest airport, Gatwick offers direct flights to 195 destinations in 61 countries.
9th place: Leonardo da Vinci Airport Rome-Fiumicino (FCO), Italy
Leonardo da Vinci Rome-Fiumicino Airport recorded 40.49 million travellers in 2023, confirming its position as Italy’s largest airport. FCO offers direct connections to 240 destinations in 76 countries.
10th place: Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), Turkey
With a total of 37.1 million passengers in 2023, Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen Airport is an essential part of Turkey’s air transport system and serves as an important hub for flights within Europe and Asia.
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Which are the largest airports in the world?
Take a look at the ranking of the world’s largest airports as of 2023:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), USA: 104.7 million
- Dubai International Airport (DXB), United Arab Emirates: 87 million
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), USA: 80 million
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR), UK: 79.1 million
- Denver International Airport (DEN), USA: 77.8 million
- Istanbul International Airport (IST), Turkey: 76.03 million
- Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD), USA: 73.9 million
- Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport (CDC), France: 67.42 million
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), USA: 66.02 million
- New Delhi Airport (DEL), India: 65 million
FAQs: Europe’s largest airport
How can Flightright help you?
Are you stuck at the airport due to a flight delay? Your flight has been cancelled or you have been removed from the passenger list (denied boarding)?
In each of the situations described, you as a passenger have a right to compensation.
According to the UK261 Legislation, passengers are entitled to compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation, overbooking, or missed connection. They can receive up to £520 compensation per person (minus the success commission). This compensation is independent of the ticket price. Flightright enforces your right for you. If necessary also in court.
Tip: Flightright helps you to enforce your passenger rights! With us, you can check your claims free of charge in two minutes. ✔️Easy, ✔️fast ✔️& without risk
As the market-leading consumer portal, Flightright fights for the enforcement of air passenger rights. We stand up for your rights in the event of a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding and refer to the UK261 Regulation. Flightright’s air passenger rights experts are also happy to help you with ticket refunds and refunds for cancelled package holidays.
As experts in the field of air passenger rights, we enforce your right to compensation against the airline!