Istanbul Airport takes lead over Heathrow

Istanbul Airport has overtaken London Heathrow as Europe's busiest airport in July 2026, welcoming 8.15 million passengers compared to Heathrow's 7.86 million. This achievement highlights Istanbul's growing infrastructure and strategic geographic position.

Heathrow's traffic declined by 1.5% year-on-year, partly due to geopolitical tensions affecting routes to the Middle East, which are crucial for connecting Europe, the Gulf, and Asia. Additionally, Heathrow operates near its maximum capacity with only two runways, limiting growth potential.

In contrast, Istanbul Airport boasts three operational runways with plans for a fourth by the end of 2026, enabling significant expansion. This capacity allows it to strengthen its role as a key hub between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. While Heathrow remains an economic powerhouse, the shift in passenger numbers signals evolving competition among major European hubs and raises questions about London's future air connectivity for tourism, investment, and trade.

Separately, the United Kingdom is preparing to introduce a new per-mile tax for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles starting April 1, 2028. The "Electric Vehicle Excise Duty" (eVED) aims to offset declining revenue from fossil fuel taxes. Electric vehicles will be charged 3 pence per mile, with hybrids at half that rate, potentially costing electric car owners around 267 pounds annually based on average mileage.