UK airports handle more than 300 million passengers in record-breaking 2025
February 24, 2026
UK airports handled more than 300 million passengers last year, breaking pre-pandemic records with 2025 confirmed as the busiest ever year for the country’s aviation system.
New figures released on Tuesday by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority recorded a 2% increase in passenger numbers in 2025 versus the previous year.
New record for UK airports in 2025
In total, 302 million people passed through UK airports last year, up 7 million on the 295 million passengers in 2024.
Remarkably, the significant increase in journeys coincided with an improving picture for departure and arrival delays.
The CAA said 73% of flights operated on time last year, up six percentage points on 2024. However the regulator noted that this was still down on pre-pandemic levels.
At home and away, the most popular airports revealed
Across the year, the list of most popular destinations was a predictable mix that included Dublin, Alicante, Dubai, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca.
Milan Linate saw the largest increase in passenger numbers (453,000 more passengers), with Krakow (326,000) and Malta (301,000) also significantly up on the previous year.
Within the UK, Liverpool Airport saw the largest growth in passenger numbers, up 11%, with Edinburgh Airport up 8% and Newcastle increasing by 7%. Heathrow remains the busiest airport, followed by Gatwick.
Aviation minister Keir Mather said: “A record year for passenger numbers underlines the importance of boosting airport capacity as we progress our work to prepare for a third runway at Heathrow, and drive forward approved expansion plans at Gatwick and Luton.
“Expansion will unlock more choice for passengers, could create thousands of highly skilled jobs, and strengthen our global connectivity, while backing UK aviation’s continued growth.”
Many passengers plan to fly more in 2026
Separate data collected by the CAA released earlier this month found that almost two-thirds (62%) of people surveyed have flown in the last 12 months, and one in three (31%) are planning to fly more this year.
Nearly half (47%) of 18-34s plan to take more flights this year – against 29% of 35-54 year olds, and those aged 55 and over remaining steady at 22%.
Overall satisfaction with flying has hit its highest level (88%) since 2016 when the survey started.
Featured image: Markus Mainka | stock.adobe.com
