Airlines

Top 10 Busiest European Airports for 2023

The European continent is home, to some of the world’s busiest and most important airports. These gateways to the continent serve as vital hubs for both domestic and international travel.

Facilitating the movement of millions of passengers and tons of cargo each year. European airports serve as a vital link for visitors and travelers from throughout the globe, whether they are traveling for either leisure or business.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 busiest European airports, in the world. According to the OAG. These airports play a significant role in shaping the global aviation landscape and are crucial nodes in the transportation network that links Europe with the rest of the world.

10 Busiest European Airports for 2023

As of October 2023, London Heathrow Airport (LHR), with 4.4 million seats, remains the busiest airport in Europe.

With 4.1 million seats, Istanbul Airport (IST) is the second busiest airport. The difference in capacity between Istanbul Airport (IST) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has widened, from 3% to 8% this month. This is because Istanbul Airport (IST) has lost 103k seats a day, or 6% of its total capacity.

The Top 10 busiest airports in Europe for this month are ranked extremely similarly to those of last month. Munich International Airport (MUC) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) are the only airports whose rankings have changed. Due to an 8% decrease in seats per day, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) slid to 10th, while Munich International Airport (MUC) rose to 9th.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.