UK air passenger numbers broke a record in the second quarter of 2026, with more than 81 million passengers travelling through British airports despite disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
A total of 81,158,297 passengers boarded or disembarked at UK airports between April and June, according to new figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The figure was more than 120,000 higher than the 81,035,648 recorded during the same period in 2025, making it the busiest second quarter on record.
The increase was largely driven by low-cost airlines and stronger demand for short-haul European travel. Ryanair and Jet2 both recorded 9% year-on-year growth in passenger numbers during the quarter, while 2.25 million more passengers travelled with easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 combined compared with the second quarter of 2025.
More than one million additional passengers travelled to Western Europe during the period, with Dublin, Palma de Mallorca, Amsterdam, Alicante and Malaga emerging as the five most popular destinations. Passenger numbers to Madrid rose by 15%, while Barcelona saw an 11% increase compared with the previous year.
Asia also recorded growth, particularly China, where passenger numbers increased by 11%, Pakistan, which saw a 307% rise, and India, where numbers increased by 5%.
The record came despite the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, which affected travel to the region during the quarter. The UK Foreign Office advised against non-essential travel to the region until June 18, while passenger numbers travelling to Dubai were around half the level recorded a year earlier. Middle Eastern airlines also experienced significant reductions in passenger numbers.
“We acted quickly to support airlines and airports against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East, including giving airlines greater flexibility to lock in flight schedules early, helping to keep last-minute disruption to a minimum, with fewer than 1% of flights cancelled at short notice between May and July,” noted Keir Mather, Aviation, Maritime and Freight Minister.
The disruption followed the outbreak of war in Iran in early March, raising concerns about the impact of air strikes, restrictions affecting regional airspace and fuel shortages on international aviation. However, the overall UK passenger figures remained resilient.
“Demand for flying remains high, as passengers adjust their travel plans around global events,” said Ross Lydall, spokesperson for the CAA. “These results highlight the sector’s resilience and hard work and keep it on course for another record-breaking year.”
Airports also recorded strong growth outside the largest hubs. Cardiff passenger numbers increased by 16% year on year during the quarter, while Newcastle and Inverness each recorded an 8% rise.
The CAA highlighted that the figures demonstrate continued strong demand for air travel, despite the geopolitical disruption affecting some international routes.
