It's that time again – the summer holidays have officially kicked off, and our airports feel busier than ever as families and travellers seeking a hit of Euro summer sunshine descend on the runways. But what are the UK's busiest – and quietest – airports? While many of us don't put too much stock in the airport we depart from – choosing the nearest, cheapest or most convenient transport hub to book flights from – knowing which airports are likely to be the most crowded can be handy information for anyone who wants a more peaceful travel experience. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many of the UK's busiest airports for international passengers are in London.
Just one airport in the top five, in fact, is outside of the UK's capital city. When it comes to the quietest airports, smaller regional airports – especially those in locations that might be hard to reach for most of the country, such as Norfolk or Cornwall – tend to be among the least busy. Below, find the top five busiest and top five quietest airports for international passengers in the UK, based on passenger data from 2023.
The top five busiest airports in the UK remains unchanged from last summer – four (Luton, Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow) are in London, while one northern hub also makes the list. The UK’s fifth busiest airport is a favourite for those last-minute city breaks . Admittedly, it’s often not the most accessible transport hub – get stuck here late at night without an onward plan, and you c.