What are the top 5 largest airports in Europe?

Air Travel

By Kristy Tolley

The Busiest Airports in Europe

Europe is home to some of the busiest and largest airports in the world, serving millions of passengers each year. From the iconic Heathrow Airport in London to the bustling Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, Europe’s airports are essential transit hubs for both business and leisure travelers. In this article, we will explore the top 5 largest airports in Europe based on passenger traffic and infrastructure.

Criteria: How Do We Measure the Size of an Airport?

The size of an airport can be measured in various ways, including the number of passengers passing through it, the number of aircraft movements, and the size of its infrastructure. In this article, we will consider the number of passengers as the primary criteria for measuring the size of an airport. Additionally, we will also take into account the airport’s terminal and runway capacity to give a more comprehensive understanding of its size and importance.

5th Largest: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, located in the Spanish capital of Madrid, is the fifth-largest airport in Europe, serving over 61 million passengers annually. The airport has four terminals and a total of 250 check-in counters, making it one of the largest airports in the world. It also has a massive runway capacity of four runways, which can handle up to 120 takeoffs and landings per hour.

4th Largest: Istanbul Atatürk Airport

Istanbul Atatürk Airport, located in Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, is the fourth-largest airport in Europe, serving over 63 million passengers annually. The airport has two main terminals, with a total of 143 gates and 373 check-in counters. It also has four runways and is the primary hub for Turkish Airlines, which offers flights to over 300 destinations worldwide.

3rd Largest: Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris

Charles de Gaulle Airport, located in the French capital of Paris, is the third-largest airport in Europe, serving over 72 million passengers annually. The airport has three terminals, with a total of 260 gates and 296 check-in counters. It also has five runways and is the primary hub for Air France, which offers flights to over 200 destinations worldwide.

2nd Largest: Heathrow Airport, London

Heathrow Airport, located in the UK’s capital of London, is the second-largest airport in Europe, serving over 80 million passengers annually. The airport has four terminals, with a total of 128 gates and 471 check-in counters. It also has two runways and is the primary hub for British Airways, which offers flights to over 170 destinations worldwide.

The Largest: Frankfurt Airport, Germany

Frankfurt Airport, located in Germany’s financial hub, Frankfurt, is the largest airport in Europe, serving over 70 million passengers annually. The airport has two main terminals, with a total of 130 gates and 114 check-in counters. It also has four runways and is the primary hub for Lufthansa, which offers flights to over 200 destinations worldwide.

Other Notable Airports: Schiphol, Amsterdam

Schiphol Airport, located in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving over 71 million passengers annually. The airport has one main terminal, with a total of 165 gates and 165 check-in counters. It also has six runways and is the primary hub for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which offers flights to over 130 destinations worldwide.

Other Notable Airports: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino, Rome

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, located in the Italian capital of Rome, is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving over 43 million passengers annually. The airport has four terminals, with a total of 165 gates and 260 check-in counters. It also has three runways and is the primary hub for Alitalia, which offers flights to over 100 destinations worldwide.

Other Notable Airports: Barcelona-El Prat, Spain

Barcelona-El Prat Airport, located in the Spanish city of Barcelona, is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving over 52 million passengers annually. The airport has two terminals, with a total of 185 gates and 166 check-in counters. It also has three runways and is the primary hub for Vueling Airlines, which offers flights to over 100 destinations worldwide.

Other Notable Airports: Munich Airport, Germany

Munich Airport, located in the southern German city of Munich, is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving over 47 million passengers annually. The airport has two terminals, with a total of 106 gates and 257 check-in counters. It also has two runways and is the secondary hub for Lufthansa, which offers flights to over 130 destinations worldwide.

Conclusion: Europe’s Air Travel Hub

Europe’s airports are essential gateways to the rest of the world, connecting millions of passengers to different destinations worldwide. From the bustling Heathrow Airport in London to the massive Frankfurt Airport in Germany, Europe’s airports are critical transit hubs for both business and leisure travelers. As air travel continues to grow, we can expect these airports to expand and improve their infrastructure, making air travel more accessible and efficient for everyone.

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Kristy Tolley

Kristy Tolley, an accomplished editor at TravelAsker, boasts a rich background in travel content creation. Before TravelAsker, she led editorial efforts at Red Ventures Puerto Rico, shaping content for Platea English. Kristy's extensive two-decade career spans writing and editing travel topics, from destinations to road trips. Her passion for travel and storytelling inspire readers to embark on their own journeys.

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