Could Heathrow be about to lose its title of Europe’s busiest airport?

Heathrow Airport’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, has warned the hub risks losing its status as Europe’s busiest this year due to insufficient capacity.

He stated this highlights the "critical" need for its third runway project.

This summer brings key decisions.

The Department for Transport is expected to publish its draft Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), outlining the framework for airport growth.

Simultaneously, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will decide on a long-term model for airport charges, crucial for Heathrow’s third runway investment.

Parliament will be asked to decide on the final ANPS in the autumn.

Mr Woldbye said: “We remain Europe’s largest airport, but latest figures show we may lose that position in 2026 and we cannot keep driving growth for the UK economy without more capacity.

“That’s why Heathrow expansion is so critical.

“The decisions ministers and the CAA take this year are essential to enable the delivery of the UK’s flagship growth project, secure planning permission by 2029, and ensure the UK has the flight and cargo capacity that it deserves.”

Some 84.5 million passengers passed through the west London airport’s four terminals last year, a 0.7 per cent increase from 83.9 million in 2024.

Its growth trails other European rivals because its two runways are full.

Heathrow’s passenger numbers were only narrowly ahead of Istanbul last year, which had 84.4 million passengers (up 5.5 per cent).

Paris Charles de Gaulle was ranked third with 72.0 million passengers (up 2.5 per cent), followed by Amsterdam Schiphol with 68.8 million passengers (up 2.9 per cent) and Madrid with 68.1 million passengers (up 3.0 per cent).

In January, Heathrow recorded 6.5 million passengers, a 2.0 per cent increase from the same month in 2025.