Airports in the UK
The United Kingdom is home to some of the busiest airports in the world, with millions of passengers passing through each year. The country has a well-connected network of airports, ranging from the bustling international airports in London to smaller regional and military airports. The UK also has a strong aviation industry, employing thousands of people across the country.
London Airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted
London is home to three of the busiest airports in the UK. Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the UK and the seventh-busiest airport in the world, handling over 80 million passengers annually. Gatwick Airport is the second-busiest airport in the UK, with over 46 million passengers per year. Stansted Airport, located in Essex, is the fourth-busiest airport in the UK, with around 28 million passengers annually. All three airports provide connections to destinations around the world.
Regional Airports: Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol
Manchester Airport is the third-busiest airport in the UK, handling over 28 million passengers each year. Birmingham Airport is the seventh-busiest airport in the UK, with around 13 million passengers annually. Bristol Airport, located in the southwest of England, is the ninth-busiest airport in the UK, with over 8 million passengers per year. These airports offer a range of domestic and international flights, connecting the UK with destinations across Europe and beyond.
Scottish Airports: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen
Scotland has several international airports, including Edinburgh Airport, which is the busiest airport in Scotland and the sixth-busiest in the UK, with around 14 million passengers per year. Glasgow Airport is the second-busiest airport in Scotland, with around 9 million passengers each year. Aberdeen Airport, located in northeast Scotland, is the third-busiest airport in Scotland, with over 3 million passengers annually. These airports provide connections to destinations across Europe and beyond.
Northern Irish Airports: Belfast International, Belfast City
Belfast International Airport is the busiest airport in Northern Ireland, handling over 6 million passengers annually. Belfast City Airport, also known as George Best Belfast City Airport, is located closer to the city center and handles around 2.5 million passengers each year. These airports offer a range of domestic and international flights, connecting Northern Ireland with destinations across the UK and Europe.
Welsh Airports: Cardiff, Anglesey, Swansea
Wales has three main airports, including Cardiff Airport, which is the busiest airport in Wales, handling around 1.6 million passengers each year. Anglesey Airport, located on the Isle of Anglesey, is a smaller airport that offers flights to destinations across the UK. Swansea Airport, located on the Gower Peninsula, offers general aviation and business flights.
Smaller Airports: Exeter, Norwich, Southampton
The UK also has several smaller airports, including Exeter Airport, which offers flights to destinations across the UK and Europe. Norwich Airport offers flights to destinations across the UK and Europe, and Southampton Airport provides connections to destinations across the UK and Europe, as well as North Africa.
Military Airports: RAF Brize Norton, RAF Northolt
The UK has several military airports, including RAF Brize Norton, which is the largest station of the Royal Air Force and handles military and civilian flights. RAF Northolt, located in West London, handles private and government flights.
Airport Traffic and Statistics in the UK
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the top five busiest airports in the UK in 2020 were Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, and Luton. The UK’s airports handled over 156 million passengers in 2019, with Heathrow alone handling over 80 million passengers.
Future Development Plans for Airports in the UK
Several airports across the UK have development plans in place to expand and improve their facilities, including Heathrow Airport’s proposed third runway and Manchester Airport’s £1 billion expansion plan. The UK government has also proposed the development of a new airport, known as "Boris Island," in the Thames Estuary. However, the project has faced opposition from environmental groups, and its future remains uncertain.
