Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • UK has two of top 10 busiest business aviation airports in Europe

Aerospace

UK has two of top 10 busiest business aviation airports in Europe

Analysis of industry data by London based Colibri Aircraft has shown that the UK has two of Europe’s 10 busiest airports for business aircraft departures in Europe.

Above: Control tower at Farnborough Airport.
Image By Ryan Fletcher / Shutterstock

In October 2019, Farnborough was ranked the second busiest with 1,346 departures and London Luton was fourth with 1,235.

London Biggin Hill, London Stansted and Oxford Airport also made it into the top 30 – 11th, 24th and 28th respectively.The bulk of Colibri Aircraft’s sales activity takes place in London, and this is reflected in the fact that the city is the busiest in Europe for business aircraft departures.  In October 4,577 business aircraft departed from London, which was more than the next two busiest European cities added together - Paris (2,355 departures) and Geneva (1,329).      
 
Oliver Stone, Managing Director, Colibri Aircraft said: “Despite talk of Brexit having a negative impact on the UK business aviation sector, this research shows how big it is, and what an integral role it plays within the wider European market.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“The UK business aviation sector employs thousands of people both directly and indirectly.  From pilots to airport staff, engineers and caterers. It’s an important part of the British economy and one of the best in the world.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Colibri Aircraft are based in London and specialise in the marketing, resale and purchase of pre-owned private aircraft.
 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Stansted posts record high May passenger numbers

Aerospace

Stansted posts record high May passenger numbers

11 June 2026

A record-breaking half-term holiday week and thousands of football fans heading to three European cup finals helped London Stansted record its busiest ever May as it welcomed 2.86m passengers during the month.

IFS launches IFS Zero

Aerospace Defence

IFS launches IFS Zero

10 June 2026

IFS has launched IFS Zero, an agentic AI Emissions Operating System designed for asset-intensive industries, such as aerospace and defence, where organisations face pressure to improve emissions reporting and supply chain transparency, with Scope 3 compliance now a contractual requirement.

Smith Detection

Aerospace Security

Smith Detection's SDX 10080 SCT receives UK DfT approval

10 June 2026

Smiths Detection announced today that its SDX 10080 SCT has received UK Department for Transport (DfT) approval for deployment across UK airports and cargo operators for hold baggage and air cargo screening.

Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

Aerospace Security

Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

10 June 2026

Aston University has secured almost £4 million in new funding to improve the UK’s aerospace engineering and cybersecurity skills.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

Aerospace

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

10 June 2026

Marshall Aerospace has successfully completed a flight dynamics and control model to support Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7, a revolutionary dual-use hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft currently in prototype development.

NATS invests in carbon removals with CUR8

Aerospace

NATS invests in carbon removals with CUR8

9 June 2026

NATS has committed £500k to carbon removals through carbon removals intelligence provider CUR8, contributing to an initiative led by the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition, to stimulate the carbon removals market as part of a £2 million Advance Market Signal.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner