When it comes to airports in London, two of the most well-known ones are Heathrow and Gatwick. While both of them are located in the same city, they have some significant differences in terms of their size and facilities. So Is Heathrow airport bigger than Gatwick?
Yes, Heathrow Airport is much bigger than Gatwick Airport. Heathrow covers an area of 3031 acres, which is almost twice as much as the land area covered by Gatwick Airport, which is only 1,670 acres.
Let’s consider passenger volume and facilities to answer the question.
Passenger Volume: Heathrow vs Gatwick
Another important aspect that determines the size of an airport is the number of passengers it serves. In terms of passenger volume, Heathrow Airport is also bigger than Gatwick Airport. In 2022, Heathrow Airport handled a total of 61.6 million passengers, while Gatwick Airport served 32,835,381 passengers in the same year.
Facilities
Apart from land area and passenger volume, the facilities available at an airport also play a significant role in determining its size. Both Heathrow and Gatwick have multiple terminals, airlines, and destinations. However, Heathrow Airport has a larger number of terminals than Gatwick Airport, with five terminals in total. In contrast, Gatwick Airport has only two terminals.
In terms of airlines, both airports serve numerous airlines from around the world. However, Heathrow Airport has a higher number of airlines operating out of it, with around 80 airlines compared to Gatwick’s 50.
When it comes to destinations, Heathrow Airport has a more extensive network of destinations compared to Gatwick Airport. This is because Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world and serves as a hub for numerous airlines. On the other hand, Gatwick Airport primarily serves as a base for low-cost airlines and has a smaller network of destinations.
Comparison Table: Heathrow Airport vs Gatwick Airport
| Metric | Heathrow Airport | Gatwick Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Land Area | 3130 acres | 1,670 acres. |
| Passenger Volume | 61.6 million | 32.8 million |
| Airlines | 80 | 50 |
Is Heathrow the biggest airport in the world?
No, Heathrow is not the biggest airport in the world. Far from it! The biggest airport in the world by land area is the King Fahd International Airport.
And even if “biggest” means busiest to you, Heathrow isn’t still the world’s biggest. That honor goes to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson international airport. Atlanta airport handled 93,699,630 passengers in 2022.
Is Heathrow the biggest airport in the UK?
Absolutely! London Heathrow is the biggest airport in the United Kingdom by both land area (3,130 acres) and passenger volume (61.6 million in 2022).
Summary: Is Heathrow Airport Bigger than Gatwick?
In conclusion, while both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are significant airports in London, Heathrow is undoubtedly the larger of the two. It has a larger land area, serves more passengers, and has a more extensive network of facilities. However, Gatwick Airport is also an important airport, particularly for low-cost airlines, and serves a considerable number of passengers every year.
