Europe is home to some incredible airports, and many of them serve a ridiculous number of passengers every year. In fact, the busiest airport in Europe welcomed more than 50 million travellers in 2024. To put that into perspective, that number of people would fill around 556 Wembley Stadiums.
What’s more, many airports today are much more than just places to catch a flight. They now have the infrastructure of giant shopping malls, with designer boutiques, restaurants, lounges and even spas. Some also have car parks that can hold tens of thousands of vehicles. According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG), which tracks global air travel data, these were the busiest airports in Europe last year based on seat capacity.
10. London Gatwick
London Gatwick, based in West Sussex, served more than 25.5 million passengers in 2024. It’s just 30 minutes from central London by train and has two terminals – North and South. The airport is a major hub for easyJet and also sees frequent flights from British Airways, Vueling and Norwegian.
Gatwick offers shops, lounges, and plenty of dining options, from fast food to champagne bars. It handles hundreds of flights daily and is especially popular with holidaymakers heading to Europe.
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9. Munich Airport
Munich Airport, located around 30km (18.5 miles) northeast of Munich, welcomed 26.7 million passengers in 2024. The airport is famous for its smooth efficiency, has two terminals and is a hub for Lufthansa and Star Alliance members.
Facilities include a brewery, spa, lounges and even mini-golf. Travellers love the clean layout and fast connections. The airport handles about one flight every 90 seconds during peak hours.
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8. Rome Fiumicino
Also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome Fiumicino handled over 30.4 million passengers in 2024. It sits around 30km (18.5 miles) from the centre of Rome and has four terminals.
Major airlines include ITA Airways, Ryanair and Vueling. Facilities include shopping outlets, restaurants serving Italian favourites, and luxury lounges. It’s one of the top airports in southern Europe.
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7. Barcelona El Prat
Barcelona El Prat Airport served over 31.8 million passengers in 2024. Located about 15km (9 miles) southwest of the city, it has two main terminals and is a hub for Vueling and Ryanair.
The airport has stunning architecture, offers Mediterranean cuisine, designer shops and quick links into the city. Travellers often say it has a relaxed vibe and efficient security. It’s one of Europe’s favourite airports for city breaks and holidays.
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6. Madrid-Barajas
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport handled more than 38.1 million passengers in 2024. It’s located just 12km (7 miles) from Madrid city centre and has five terminals, including the ultra-modern Terminal 4.
Iberia and Air Europa are the biggest airlines there. Passengers can expect fast security, huge duty-free areas and quiet spaces to relax. It’s one of Europe’s largest airports in terms of size and a major international gateway to Latin America.
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