Nowadays, travelers don’t just go on vacation by car – especially not if they are going beyond national borders. That 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 by 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), United Kingdom
With around 79.1 million passengers in 2023, London Heathrow Airport once again confirms its status as Europe’s leading aviation 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 travelers 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 travelers 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 Republic of France.
4th place: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands
Our neighboring country is home to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, which attracted a whopping 61.89 million travelers in 2023. The oldest international flight connection has been operating here since 1920: Amsterdam – Hamburg. Travelers 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 underlines 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 travelers passed through the airport in Frankfurt am Main 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), United Kingdom
In 2023, 40.90 million passengers traveled 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 travelers 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 transportation 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 canceled 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 EU Passenger Rights Regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation, overbooking, or missed connection. You can claim up to 600 euros of compensation per person (minus commission fee). 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 European Union’s Air Passenger Rights Regulation 261/2004. Flightright’s air passenger rights experts are also happy to help you with ticket refunds and refunds for canceled package tours.
As experts in the field of air passenger rights, we enforce your right to compensation against the airline!
